Originally posted July 23, 2010
Since moving into the house we have been shopping at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. This is an excellent resource for those who are flexible and looking to save money. I have been buying full gallons of paint (Behr, Miller, etc) for $5. Every once in awhile you will find more than one can of the same color, or be patient and find colors that complement each other. My daughter's room has a nice dark purple and cotton candy walls. For the trim, I found a can of semi-gloss purple. These may not be a designer's dream, but she is thrilled with her room and I saved a ton on paint. We have also bought a wheel barrow, ceiling fan, door knobs, and door hinges. Some items are new and some are used. You never know what you will find! I love going and looking. They also have some furniture, tile, doors, windows, sinks--anything you can think of for a house. Go in with an open mind and who knows what you will find! The other great thing is the discounts. Find out which color tags are 25% or 50% off, which change (monthly?). Happy Saving!
Portland Metro ReStore
66 SE Morrison St
Portland OR 97214
503.283.6247 Map
Clark County Habitat ReStore
5000 E 4th Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98661
360.213.1313 Map
Hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday thru Saturday
donations until 4:30 p.m.
Jan 11, 2011
Jan 10, 2011
Gardening on the cheap--good and bad
Originally posted July 28, 2010
Now that summer is in full swing, gardening is on my mind. The house took a few months to get into, so I started tomatoes and cucumbers in Topsy Turvies at the apartment. The tomatoes made it, but the cucumbers did not and the squirrel that sat in the cucumber Topsy Turvy did not make the move with us--I wish he had!
The Sweet 100s are taking off and I am looking forward to red beautiful tomatoes! I don't love tomatoes, but Professor loves to eat them off the plant like candy. Putting tomatoes in salad and cooking with them are my favorite ways to eat them. For those with Topsy Turvies, or those contemplating using them, read the directions for best results. You really need to water daily, or even twice a day and fertilize weekly or every other week when the plant is in full growth and production mood. Watering can be a real chore. At the apartment we did not have access to an outdoor spigot and all the watering had to be done with a can. When you took into account the three TT and all the flowers in containers that was a lot of watering. I bought a big plastic watering can, which was great until I left it on the rotisserie and it melted. I bought a new plastic watering can and was very careful about checking what was on and around the rotisserie, until the kids turned it on and melted the second watering can. That's when I decided to invest in a good watering can. While at CostCo last spring, there was the watering can I was looking for price at $19.99! Yikes! I'm glad I bought it, as it will be around for years, provided we don't drive over it.
Now that we're at the house, watering has become more of a chore and one watering can will not suffice. Before the move, we had a hose that works great and we set it up in the front of the house to water the flowers and strawberries. The grass is a beautiful shade of light brown--I refuse to water it, but my plants look great! Anyway, we needed another hose for the back to water the tomatoes and other things we want to live. We go to the hardware store a lot, and the last time we were there, the light duty hose was 54% off. Great! A hose for under $5. I should have just put that $5 in my mouth and ate it. Never buy a light duty hose unless you never have to move it, or turn it on. It kinks and there is no rubber gasket, so the hose sprays water everywhere. I priced other hoses and had to pick my jaw up off the floor--$20 for a hose! ACK! My plan is to get by with the cheap hose until next spring when gardening items can be found on great sales and with rebates.
Now that summer is in full swing, gardening is on my mind. The house took a few months to get into, so I started tomatoes and cucumbers in Topsy Turvies at the apartment. The tomatoes made it, but the cucumbers did not and the squirrel that sat in the cucumber Topsy Turvy did not make the move with us--I wish he had!
The Sweet 100s are taking off and I am looking forward to red beautiful tomatoes! I don't love tomatoes, but Professor loves to eat them off the plant like candy. Putting tomatoes in salad and cooking with them are my favorite ways to eat them. For those with Topsy Turvies, or those contemplating using them, read the directions for best results. You really need to water daily, or even twice a day and fertilize weekly or every other week when the plant is in full growth and production mood. Watering can be a real chore. At the apartment we did not have access to an outdoor spigot and all the watering had to be done with a can. When you took into account the three TT and all the flowers in containers that was a lot of watering. I bought a big plastic watering can, which was great until I left it on the rotisserie and it melted. I bought a new plastic watering can and was very careful about checking what was on and around the rotisserie, until the kids turned it on and melted the second watering can. That's when I decided to invest in a good watering can. While at CostCo last spring, there was the watering can I was looking for price at $19.99! Yikes! I'm glad I bought it, as it will be around for years, provided we don't drive over it.
Now that we're at the house, watering has become more of a chore and one watering can will not suffice. Before the move, we had a hose that works great and we set it up in the front of the house to water the flowers and strawberries. The grass is a beautiful shade of light brown--I refuse to water it, but my plants look great! Anyway, we needed another hose for the back to water the tomatoes and other things we want to live. We go to the hardware store a lot, and the last time we were there, the light duty hose was 54% off. Great! A hose for under $5. I should have just put that $5 in my mouth and ate it. Never buy a light duty hose unless you never have to move it, or turn it on. It kinks and there is no rubber gasket, so the hose sprays water everywhere. I priced other hoses and had to pick my jaw up off the floor--$20 for a hose! ACK! My plan is to get by with the cheap hose until next spring when gardening items can be found on great sales and with rebates.
My favorite resale store for kids
Originally posted July 26, 2010
I'm not a complete pushover when it comes to my kids, but I REALLY wanted this wagon! The kids love it already (yes, it's HOT out and they wanted hoodies on). I found it while checking out Ready Set Grow on facebook. I know the owner, Heather, from church and have consigned with her in the past. I call Heather when I need something. When she doesn't have what I am looking for she looks for it. Heather has more children items, maternity, and baby equipment than she has room for in her shop, which recently doubled in size--and she's only been in business for two years! My kids love checking out the play kitchens and outdoor toys. When I needed a double jogger, I went to Ready Set Grow. I know I could check craigslist and garage sales, but I don't have the time or a car (most days). I stopped bringing my kids' clothing and toys to other consignment shops because Heather has the best cash or trade terms around with instant gratification. She buys or trades the spot--no credit to worry about and no check to wait for. Ready Set Grow: 10325 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd across from Walmart near 205 ready.set.grow @ hotmail.com (take out the spaces).
Remember when I said Heather will look for something she does not currently have in stock? In the photo, my daughter is holding an Elmo toy and my son is holding Oscar the Grouch socks from Ready Set Grow. My son loves Elm0 (my daughter loves to take his things) and Heather knows that.
These are 100% my opinions and I am not getting compensated for this post.
I'm not a complete pushover when it comes to my kids, but I REALLY wanted this wagon! The kids love it already (yes, it's HOT out and they wanted hoodies on). I found it while checking out Ready Set Grow on facebook. I know the owner, Heather, from church and have consigned with her in the past. I call Heather when I need something. When she doesn't have what I am looking for she looks for it. Heather has more children items, maternity, and baby equipment than she has room for in her shop, which recently doubled in size--and she's only been in business for two years! My kids love checking out the play kitchens and outdoor toys. When I needed a double jogger, I went to Ready Set Grow. I know I could check craigslist and garage sales, but I don't have the time or a car (most days). I stopped bringing my kids' clothing and toys to other consignment shops because Heather has the best cash or trade terms around with instant gratification. She buys or trades the spot--no credit to worry about and no check to wait for. Ready Set Grow: 10325 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd across from Walmart near 205 ready.set.grow @ hotmail.com (take out the spaces).
Remember when I said Heather will look for something she does not currently have in stock? In the photo, my daughter is holding an Elmo toy and my son is holding Oscar the Grouch socks from Ready Set Grow. My son loves Elm0 (my daughter loves to take his things) and Heather knows that.
These are 100% my opinions and I am not getting compensated for this post.
Holy Crap--I'm back!
Originally posted July 22, 2010
Aside from moving, I have simply been unable to access my site. This problem started a week or so before the move and was finally resolved yesterday. Yes, it is time to find a new host. So much I need to learn about computers and yet the children keep getting all my attention!
In the meantime it's time to think about back to school. But not too much! Keep your eyes open for BTS teapads of coupons and now IS the time to grab cheap BTS needs. Walgreens has some cheap items and Staples is going to be a great place for backpacks starting on 7/25. I will elaborate later.
Aside from moving, I have simply been unable to access my site. This problem started a week or so before the move and was finally resolved yesterday. Yes, it is time to find a new host. So much I need to learn about computers and yet the children keep getting all my attention!
In the meantime it's time to think about back to school. But not too much! Keep your eyes open for BTS teapads of coupons and now IS the time to grab cheap BTS needs. Walgreens has some cheap items and Staples is going to be a great place for backpacks starting on 7/25. I will elaborate later.
Slow goings
Originally posted June 8, 2010
With buying a house comes many, many new issues for me. At first I thought the house was move-in ready, but then I started thinking. I haven't stopped thinking, which is unfortunate for Professor. I decided to paint every room in the house. We know the main living areas were recently poorly painted with colors I would have NEVER chosen and the trim/molding has not been repainted or cleaned in a l o n g time. Then I decided I wanted the carpet removed and solid flooring put down. Allergies are on my mind a lot lately and I would like a house that was not carpeted. Well, aside from can we even afford this, we probably do not have enough time to get flooring down before we move.
On the bright side, the refrigerator was delivered yesterday and now the kids can have cold apple juice while I'm painting.
With buying a house comes many, many new issues for me. At first I thought the house was move-in ready, but then I started thinking. I haven't stopped thinking, which is unfortunate for Professor. I decided to paint every room in the house. We know the main living areas were recently poorly painted with colors I would have NEVER chosen and the trim/molding has not been repainted or cleaned in a l o n g time. Then I decided I wanted the carpet removed and solid flooring put down. Allergies are on my mind a lot lately and I would like a house that was not carpeted. Well, aside from can we even afford this, we probably do not have enough time to get flooring down before we move.
On the bright side, the refrigerator was delivered yesterday and now the kids can have cold apple juice while I'm painting.
Asking for what you want; then Waiting
Originally posted June 4, 2010
Professor and I are very limited between the space the fridge can go into and our budget, that only one fridge was available. I was ready to remodel the kitchen, but we have enough things going on. I know I did not get a screaming deal on the fridge--it was 10% off and there was a $40 mail in rebate (MIR) for this brand of fridge. The only problem with the MIR, was the date had expired two days before we bought the fridge, yet there were 3 signs up promoting the MIR. I pointed them out and was given the $40 discount on the spot. I liked that, plus it lessened sales tax! The fridge is listed for $629 and we bought it for $501.10.
I sat around waiting for this beauty to be delivered yesterday and finally called only to be told it was scheduled for June 10. WHAT?!? What a waste of time--I had already taken off all the outlet covers and removed as many nails from the walls as I could. So, I loaded up the kids and headed to my new favorite store.
Professor and I are very limited between the space the fridge can go into and our budget, that only one fridge was available. I was ready to remodel the kitchen, but we have enough things going on. I know I did not get a screaming deal on the fridge--it was 10% off and there was a $40 mail in rebate (MIR) for this brand of fridge. The only problem with the MIR, was the date had expired two days before we bought the fridge, yet there were 3 signs up promoting the MIR. I pointed them out and was given the $40 discount on the spot. I liked that, plus it lessened sales tax! The fridge is listed for $629 and we bought it for $501.10.
I sat around waiting for this beauty to be delivered yesterday and finally called only to be told it was scheduled for June 10. WHAT?!? What a waste of time--I had already taken off all the outlet covers and removed as many nails from the walls as I could. So, I loaded up the kids and headed to my new favorite store.
Off My Game
Originally posted June 2, 2010
I spent more time at Home Depot and Lowes last week than I did at grocery stores and drug stores combined and it shows! There is about 3 oz of milk and NO bread in my apartment. It's raining AGAIN, so I will not walk to Fred Meyer. On top of all that, I let $12 in catalinas expire! It's really hard not having a car everyday. I cannot go out every night, or I never see Professor and I really like being around to put the kids to bed. Doing errands with the kids is becoming harder and harder. I hate to pay for a babysitter so I can go save money at the grocery and drug stores. :sigh: I'm full of complaints this morning. The kids ate peanut butter on a spoon and they each had a banana for breakfast. I'm kicking myself about the $12 in catalinas since I could have EASILY gotten fruit and bread for $12!!!
I spent more time at Home Depot and Lowes last week than I did at grocery stores and drug stores combined and it shows! There is about 3 oz of milk and NO bread in my apartment. It's raining AGAIN, so I will not walk to Fred Meyer. On top of all that, I let $12 in catalinas expire! It's really hard not having a car everyday. I cannot go out every night, or I never see Professor and I really like being around to put the kids to bed. Doing errands with the kids is becoming harder and harder. I hate to pay for a babysitter so I can go save money at the grocery and drug stores. :sigh: I'm full of complaints this morning. The kids ate peanut butter on a spoon and they each had a banana for breakfast. I'm kicking myself about the $12 in catalinas since I could have EASILY gotten fruit and bread for $12!!!
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