Originally posted August 25, 2010
Ann at CouponsDealsandMore posted It's Not About the Money in which she discusses being frugal, and using coupons. Her post got me thinking that's it's all about the money for us.
We are a frugal family. I may not reuse a Ziploc bag--more likely, I will NOT use a Ziploc bag unless necessary. I prefer to use reusable Rubbermaid containers. We own wonder plastic food wrap from CostCo, which seals better than anything else I have used, but I will transfer the food to a Rubbermaid before sealing a serving bowl. When looking for a house we did not want an HOA. I will be hanging my clothes outside as long as the sun is out--the rest of the year, clothes are hung inside. While in the apartment, the only room for the clothes rack was in the dining area. We ate most meals right next to the hanging laundry--and there was always laundry with two little ones in cloth diapers. A large part of this is frugality and part environmentally conscious .
Clothes and household shopping is done on the clearance racks WITH at least a stackable 15% off coupon at Kohl's. Sometimes I shop JCPenny, but Kohl's is closer. Anything I buy is usually 70% off plus the extra 15%--the only charge card I have is for Kohl's to get the extra discounts. I have always made room for stockpiling childrens' clothes and I buy seasonal close-outs for the next year. For the most part that works out great, except last year, I gave up the battle and bought size 10s and 12s. Last November I lost some weight and am back in size 8s and smaller running 10s. Oops! My felling about buying at large discounts that if it does not fit the following year, the tags are still on and I can consign or yard sale them for about what I spent. Supposedly at Kohl's, as long as you have your original receipt, you can return an item, but I have not done a 9 month return.
Jan 11, 2011
24 pounds of blueberries!
Originally posted August 21, 2010
We were back at Gary's Place picking blueberries--over 24 lbs! I am still not a big fan of eating them, but they were so easy to pick. Row upon row of beautiful berry bushes! Here are my picking helpers taking a break.
As of this second, 2/3 of the harvest is in the second freezer and the rest are in the fridge to be frozen tomorrow. I used all the sheet pans and all my large cake pans. I need suggestions as to what to do with all those beautiful berries!
We were back at Gary's Place picking blueberries--over 24 lbs! I am still not a big fan of eating them, but they were so easy to pick. Row upon row of beautiful berry bushes! Here are my picking helpers taking a break.
As of this second, 2/3 of the harvest is in the second freezer and the rest are in the fridge to be frozen tomorrow. I used all the sheet pans and all my large cake pans. I need suggestions as to what to do with all those beautiful berries!
Gary's Place: U-Pick Blueberries 60¢/lb
Originally posted August 29, 2010
I don't care for blueberries, but I had fun picking berries with a friend and our kids at Gary's Place yesterday. I'm not a big fan of doing things I had never done before (yes, I currently lead a sheltered life), so going to a berry farm was out of my norm. I had passed Gary's last year and noticed the blueberry bushes right along the road and took mental note and then forgot. Thanks to Frugal Living and Heather for reminding me!
We will be going back today since my daughter wants to see more farms and I need more berries for jam. The blueberry bushes are over 30 years old and they are wonderful--easy to pick from! If you are interested in a nice outing that is completing kid friendly and will not break the bank head out to Brush Prairie and spend time in the blueberry bushes!
Gary's Place: 17509 NE 182nd Ave, Brush Prairie, WA 98606 Ph: 360.254.6126
As you are heading north, you will come to a 3-way stop in Hockinson--Gary's Place is about a mile north on the right. BTW~lots of yard sale signs up yesterday for sales today.
I don't care for blueberries, but I had fun picking berries with a friend and our kids at Gary's Place yesterday. I'm not a big fan of doing things I had never done before (yes, I currently lead a sheltered life), so going to a berry farm was out of my norm. I had passed Gary's last year and noticed the blueberry bushes right along the road and took mental note and then forgot. Thanks to Frugal Living and Heather for reminding me!
We will be going back today since my daughter wants to see more farms and I need more berries for jam. The blueberry bushes are over 30 years old and they are wonderful--easy to pick from! If you are interested in a nice outing that is completing kid friendly and will not break the bank head out to Brush Prairie and spend time in the blueberry bushes!
Gary's Place: 17509 NE 182nd Ave, Brush Prairie, WA 98606 Ph: 360.254.6126
As you are heading north, you will come to a 3-way stop in Hockinson--Gary's Place is about a mile north on the right. BTW~lots of yard sale signs up yesterday for sales today.
Planning Ahead: Pet Care
Originally posted August 13
Pet care has been budgeted at $45 a month: $5 a month goes in an envelope for every other month nail trims (long-ish story for another time), $25 for pet food and litter, and $15 stays in savings to be taken out at the vet via debit card when needed. Spending money on the cats is a sore issue with me and has been for some time. I used to be Menagerie on every forum I joined. At the height of our love for animals we had 3 cats, 2 birds, 2 degus, 2 gerbils, and 13 tanks of fish and crustaceans. That was BEFORE children. Between two moves, the fish took care of themselves, the gerbils lived a great gerbil life and passed away a few years ago, we said goodbye to my beloved cat, Spice, months before our daughter was born, one bird passed away five years ago and left her partner in serious need for companionship, so we found an incredible new home for him—outside sanctuary which is heated in the winter! That leaves us with 2 tanks of fish, 2 degus, and 2 cats.
Both Josie and Squirrel are seniors and on $40 cat food and when I have switched, I have been greeted by rash issues or a urinary tract problem and that added up to over $150 in vets bills quickly. I will not take them off this food and hope they do not need veterinarian specialty food as they get older, because they will need to get a job.
The cats have been indoors for half their lives. I do not like having outside kitties—too much can and does go wrong. As a child I lost a cat to a neighbor who did not care for cats and I spent a couple years as a veterinarian technician while an undergraduate and saw too much! When I met Professor, his kitty, Josie, loved being outdoors and was quite a hunter. We acquired Squirrel with our first apartment and she has been with us ever since. I will admit that there is no great emotional attachment to either of these cats since I was Spice’s human and then my daughter came along.
Josie has always been a sneaky and outright bold escaper and will go through legs, put up with getting caught in the door as it’s being closed, and will confidently walk up to the door and meow when company comes over. The last tactic has worked on my dad many times and out she goes. When we moved into the house with a lovely fenced yard, I did not have it in me to fight and let the cats outside.
When I came down stairs yesterday, I was greeted by a note instructing me to call the vet and make an appointment for Josie. I had not seen Josie, but the note indicated she had a swollen area on her face. Then I saw Josie. *sigh*
When Professor brought her back from the vet and I got over the $111.59 vet bill (plus she needs to go back next week), he said Josie is lucky to be alive. It is possible that she was bit by a possum or raccoon, which are known to live in an over grown weed and brush filled space that runs between our fence line and the neighbor behind us for at least three houses. This is the end of the great outdoors for the kitties and probably a twisted ankle for me. The cats are both trying to get out every time I go near a door. They may have to live in the garage until they settle down! We will be building a cat run that they can access from the garage and I’m hoping to have it built this weekend since Professor has taken some time off to work around the house. Believe me, there will be pictures and sad kitties!
Pet care has been budgeted at $45 a month: $5 a month goes in an envelope for every other month nail trims (long-ish story for another time), $25 for pet food and litter, and $15 stays in savings to be taken out at the vet via debit card when needed. Spending money on the cats is a sore issue with me and has been for some time. I used to be Menagerie on every forum I joined. At the height of our love for animals we had 3 cats, 2 birds, 2 degus, 2 gerbils, and 13 tanks of fish and crustaceans. That was BEFORE children. Between two moves, the fish took care of themselves, the gerbils lived a great gerbil life and passed away a few years ago, we said goodbye to my beloved cat, Spice, months before our daughter was born, one bird passed away five years ago and left her partner in serious need for companionship, so we found an incredible new home for him—outside sanctuary which is heated in the winter! That leaves us with 2 tanks of fish, 2 degus, and 2 cats.
Both Josie and Squirrel are seniors and on $40 cat food and when I have switched, I have been greeted by rash issues or a urinary tract problem and that added up to over $150 in vets bills quickly. I will not take them off this food and hope they do not need veterinarian specialty food as they get older, because they will need to get a job.
The cats have been indoors for half their lives. I do not like having outside kitties—too much can and does go wrong. As a child I lost a cat to a neighbor who did not care for cats and I spent a couple years as a veterinarian technician while an undergraduate and saw too much! When I met Professor, his kitty, Josie, loved being outdoors and was quite a hunter. We acquired Squirrel with our first apartment and she has been with us ever since. I will admit that there is no great emotional attachment to either of these cats since I was Spice’s human and then my daughter came along.
Josie has always been a sneaky and outright bold escaper and will go through legs, put up with getting caught in the door as it’s being closed, and will confidently walk up to the door and meow when company comes over. The last tactic has worked on my dad many times and out she goes. When we moved into the house with a lovely fenced yard, I did not have it in me to fight and let the cats outside.
When I came down stairs yesterday, I was greeted by a note instructing me to call the vet and make an appointment for Josie. I had not seen Josie, but the note indicated she had a swollen area on her face. Then I saw Josie. *sigh*
When Professor brought her back from the vet and I got over the $111.59 vet bill (plus she needs to go back next week), he said Josie is lucky to be alive. It is possible that she was bit by a possum or raccoon, which are known to live in an over grown weed and brush filled space that runs between our fence line and the neighbor behind us for at least three houses. This is the end of the great outdoors for the kitties and probably a twisted ankle for me. The cats are both trying to get out every time I go near a door. They may have to live in the garage until they settle down! We will be building a cat run that they can access from the garage and I’m hoping to have it built this weekend since Professor has taken some time off to work around the house. Believe me, there will be pictures and sad kitties!
Save Money: Christmas Shop Early
Originally posted August 9, 2010
One way I love to save money these days is by using social coupons. I told you about Groupon the other day, and today I am telling you about jasmere. Until 9 am Tuesday, you can buy a $50 voucher to Maple Landmark Woodcraft for $19 and the cost could go down! Once the deadline passes all the people who signed up for the deal are billed at the lowest price. (When I signed up for the $50 voucher, the price was $21.) How am I going to spend my $50 voucher to Maple Landmark Woodcraft that I am getting for 62% off? I picked out three toys my kids will love and are made in America, using American materials. Shipping will be a flat $5 when I redeem my voucher, which expires Dec 9! Go here to learn more about jasmere!
Information on Maple Landmark Woodcraft:
American Made, Naturally
America does make things! We pride ourselves in being one example, right here in Middlebury, Vermont. Maple Landmark is local, with local materials, not something that happens 10,000 miles away. We craft a wide range of toys and gifts which follow American standards of product safety, employee safety, and environmental protection. No shortcuts. There is still a need for children to learn basic manipulation and construction so we believe in time-tested toys for hands-on learning and exploration.
One way I love to save money these days is by using social coupons. I told you about Groupon the other day, and today I am telling you about jasmere. Until 9 am Tuesday, you can buy a $50 voucher to Maple Landmark Woodcraft for $19 and the cost could go down! Once the deadline passes all the people who signed up for the deal are billed at the lowest price. (When I signed up for the $50 voucher, the price was $21.) How am I going to spend my $50 voucher to Maple Landmark Woodcraft that I am getting for 62% off? I picked out three toys my kids will love and are made in America, using American materials. Shipping will be a flat $5 when I redeem my voucher, which expires Dec 9! Go here to learn more about jasmere!
Information on Maple Landmark Woodcraft:
American Made, Naturally
America does make things! We pride ourselves in being one example, right here in Middlebury, Vermont. Maple Landmark is local, with local materials, not something that happens 10,000 miles away. We craft a wide range of toys and gifts which follow American standards of product safety, employee safety, and environmental protection. No shortcuts. There is still a need for children to learn basic manipulation and construction so we believe in time-tested toys for hands-on learning and exploration.
Effective Tool: Showtime Rotisserie
Originally posted August 5, 2010
Effective Tools are items that I cannot live without. They make my life easier and save me money. The Effective Tool itself my not have been a steal, but there are somethings I am willing to pay for...or put on my Christmas list.
I love my rotisserie--LOVE IT! We use it once a week, if not more. Both at the apartment and here at the house, the rotisserie lives outside and we use it all year long. I often make a whole chicken using BBQ sauce or whatever seasoning was free. This cooking method is too easy. The chicken takes about 15-20 minutes per pound, or about 1 1/2 hours for a 5 lb bird. I have noticed the outside temp may play apart in cooking time, or I started buying larger chickens at the time I noticed the increased cooking time. I always start the rotisserie at 1 1/2 hours and temp the chicken to see if it needs to cook longer. The rotisserie is also great for roasts, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, kabobs, and veggies. It is also an excellent way to cook many meats that I buy in the clearance section and have no idea what to do with--they can't all be made into pot roast or stew and who wants to have the oven on for hours in the summer?
We acquired this rotisserie as a wedding present six years ago. I am ashamed to say it sat and sat. We moved with it multiple times, always saying there was not enough counter space to use the rotisserie. I forget who said let's put it outside, but it has been such a blessing!
Effective Tools are items that I cannot live without. They make my life easier and save me money. The Effective Tool itself my not have been a steal, but there are somethings I am willing to pay for...or put on my Christmas list.
I love my rotisserie--LOVE IT! We use it once a week, if not more. Both at the apartment and here at the house, the rotisserie lives outside and we use it all year long. I often make a whole chicken using BBQ sauce or whatever seasoning was free. This cooking method is too easy. The chicken takes about 15-20 minutes per pound, or about 1 1/2 hours for a 5 lb bird. I have noticed the outside temp may play apart in cooking time, or I started buying larger chickens at the time I noticed the increased cooking time. I always start the rotisserie at 1 1/2 hours and temp the chicken to see if it needs to cook longer. The rotisserie is also great for roasts, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, kabobs, and veggies. It is also an excellent way to cook many meats that I buy in the clearance section and have no idea what to do with--they can't all be made into pot roast or stew and who wants to have the oven on for hours in the summer?
We acquired this rotisserie as a wedding present six years ago. I am ashamed to say it sat and sat. We moved with it multiple times, always saying there was not enough counter space to use the rotisserie. I forget who said let's put it outside, but it has been such a blessing!
Getting 20 Swag Bucks a day is easy
Originally posted August 4, 2010
The kids and I played at the playground, went to Kohl's and Walgreens, had a late lunch, and then I cleared out part of the garage before making dinner. Not a lot of time to be on the computer! It's easy to get to 20 Swag Bucks. I earned 16 Swag Bucks searching today (10 and 6) and 3 for logging into the toolbar, checking out the surveys, and answering the daily poll. I also picked up 9 Swag Bucks from a code in the toolbar. I hit my goal of 20+ Swag Bucks--Good night!
Disclosure: The link to Swagbucks is my referral link–I get nothing if you sign up, but I do earn matching bucks when you get bucks searching, up to 1,000 per referral.
The kids and I played at the playground, went to Kohl's and Walgreens, had a late lunch, and then I cleared out part of the garage before making dinner. Not a lot of time to be on the computer! It's easy to get to 20 Swag Bucks. I earned 16 Swag Bucks searching today (10 and 6) and 3 for logging into the toolbar, checking out the surveys, and answering the daily poll. I also picked up 9 Swag Bucks from a code in the toolbar. I hit my goal of 20+ Swag Bucks--Good night!
Disclosure: The link to Swagbucks is my referral link–I get nothing if you sign up, but I do earn matching bucks when you get bucks searching, up to 1,000 per referral.
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