She's Cute!!!!

I know she is cute but I really wanted you to look at the outfit. It cost me a $1. I got it last winter when I was on Va-Ca in Eagle Crest, OR. I was out going to thrift stores and I found a store that had a huge pile of kids clothes on this large table. The sign said. .50cent each. I thought to myself I might rummage through this pile. Well, I found some great stuff for my daughter. Someone had donated stuff that was just her size. I had just told my husband that morning that I needed to get Linden some new pjs. Hers were too small. I found like four pairs in there. I also found 2 bathing suites, a couple of pairs of pants, a couple tops, and a few other odds and ends including this cute little outfit. The top is "The Children's Place "and the skirt is "Carters" all for a dollar. I got about 20 pieces of clothing all for $10.

When I was looking for jeans for my daughter in the store they are about $10 a pair. I can't afford that. Thats why I try to shop form myself and kids at consgnment stores, thrift stores ( Goodwill, Savers, ect) yard sales, & clearace racks. I was able to get 20 pieces of clothes in great condtion for $10. Great Deal!

I just thought I would share this little story with everyone since yard sale season has sprung and everyone is out & about. Stop by a few sales you might be surprised what you find and save. =)

Garden Update!

I thought I would share a few pics with everyone as to what my garden looks like so far. One of the blogs I follow Together We Save made a comment on my last post that is very true. It is not just about saving money from your garden but about family time as well. This is very true. We had such a great time yesterday planting everything and it truly was a family ordeal. My son loves to plant corn so I think I will have corn popping us everywhere. =) This will make me think of him when we are out weeding.

It is a truly great feeling to be able to reap what you sow. When veggies start popping up everywhere. I love bringing a big basket full of veggies into the kitchen and then creating something tasty out of them. Or knowing that when you open a can of green beans in the middle of winter that you actually grew them. That makes you look forward to summer.

The money saved is a great thing along with healthy veggies but these memories my kids will have forever and will hopefully pass them down to their kids.

Its not too Late!!!

This is the weekend if you are going to start a garden do it now! I have made the mistake of getting mine in late and it really does make a difference to get it in as early as possible.
My husband just tilled a large spot for ours. We are planting this year corn, green beans, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, letus, spinach, green onions, peppers, jalapenos, and herbs. I know it sounds like a lot but we are going to use all of it! I will can green beans, tomatoes, pickles, salsa, and a few other things. I will freeze corn, squash, & peppers. I will have about $100 into my garden when it is all said (with renting the tiller, seeds and plant starts) and done but I am going to produce way more than that. I am going to keep track pound for pound this year and see how much I really save.
If you don't have a large space for a garden consider a few potted tomatoes or plant it in your landscape. I have been doing that for years.
This year we asked the builder that owned the empty lot behind us if we could plant the garden back there and he was more than willing to let us use the space. He was happy that it could be of some use to someone. It never hurts to ask in this case it paid off. Happy Gardening! What are you planting?

Start Saving!

Ok. I know this is hard to think about right now but if you plan far enough ahead you could really save alot of money. CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it is a ways away but if you start saving now you will be grateful you did. Especially in these tough times. So, if you save $50 a month starting in May you will have $350 by the end of November.
Start planning now! That is how you are going to get the best deals and really make your money stretch. Come mid July when all the summer sales are in full swing you will have $100+ to spend on Christmas gifts. Planning ahead really does pay off. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Unimportant Favoite Things!

I was recently tagged by Together We Save to list six unimportant things that make me happy. But before I start, here are the rules:

1. Mention the person who nominated you. Be sure to check out blog.

2. List six unimportant things that make you happy !

My List:

1. My day has not started unless I have had my Diet Coke this by far is my favorite
moment of the day.

2. Blogging is my new favorite thing! I now have two different blogs! Savvy Squirrel &
Grape Vine.
3. I love every holiday! I think I get more excited than my kids. =)
4. My next favorite moment of the day is when my husband calls to say Goodmorning!
5. Is my favorite number. This is the day I was born on!
6. Getting great deal! This makes me very happy. The best one: a brand new Lazy Boy
for only $30.
3. Tag six blogs. State the rules, and let them know with a small comment on their blog.

This is who I tagged:



Cheaper by the Dozen and Get One Free

Thrifty Northwest Mom

Frugal Mommy

Saving Your Cents

Coupom Mommie

Super Coupon Mom

Check out these great Blogs!!!!!

Thanks,

Together We Save

Summer Days!

I know everyone is itching to get out of the house. There are so many things that I want to do this summer. How bout you? Well, it seems like when we get to those "Dog days of Summer" we are at our wits end with board'em and ready for it to be over but reality is winter is very long. So what I started doing this winter when I was dreaming of those hot summer days is I started making a list and talking to my kids about what we were going to do this summer & what makes summer fun!
You will find that this really helps. When you don't know what to do when it is scorching outside just go to your list ( I put mine on the fridge). You will find things on there that you have forgotten. This has worked great for me & my family. Just try it. I also do this for Summer, Fall, Winter, & Holiday meals. You know when all your making is the same 5 things all week but you are caving the baked beans & potato salad that summer brings on.

Mothers Day!

Wow! I cant believe that Mothers Day is this weekend. It seems like the year so far has just flown by. I have some money saving tips for presents. Here goes, I recently got a pedi & mani at one of the schools in Boise for only $22 for both. I thought that was a great deal. It would make a great present for Moms, sisters, sister-in-laws, grandmas, & just that special gal in your life. I really like going to the schools because you don't feel like you are being herded through like cattle. The schools also have gift cards. You can get massages, hair, nails, waxing, facials, and a few other treatments at most of the schools. This is a great way to get the much needed pampering for alot less.
I also like to give planted flowers for Mothers Day. I do love those gifts that keep on giving! That way whoever is receiving can enjoy them all season. Another great gift idea that keeps on giving is a magazine subscription! I love, love, love magazines but they are expensive at the store they are about a fourth of the price if you just buy a subscription. I like to buy a copy of the magazine that I am subscribing that person too and tie a pretty ribbon around it and give that as a gift and attach a cute little not for them to keep a watch in thier mail box for thier new subsription. I have done this for many of my friends and family and they all love it. It is something for them to look forward to every month and they think of me when they get it.
If you already subscribe to a magazine and that is what you want to give as a gift call your company and they will often offer you a great deal for purchasing an additions subscription.
What are your Mothers Day gift ideas? Happy Mothers Day to all you great moms out there!

Meals for traveling!

As summer is approaching fast a lot more of you are going to be traveling more. It seems like the most expensive part of traveling is the food. Three meals out a day can add up fast for a family of four or more. Well maybe I can give you some tips to get the ball rolling.
This weekend my kids and I decided to go out of town to spend the weekend with my husband. Well, I decided this and within an hour of making my decision we were on the road. And I managed to get all three of us packed and most of the meals thrown in a bag and a cooler bag. Not too bad for being spontaneous. How did I do this? Well, I was prepared. We tend to do things in a very spontaneous fashion at our house so I try to keep a going away bag ready and a check list on hand so I don't forget anything.
My going away bag has a cutting board, knife, salt & pepper shaker, forks, spoons, knives, cups, plates, plastic bags, a sponge that has dish soap in it and a couple Rubbermaid containers.
Now that my pantry is stalked I have lots to choose from. I grabbed a few packages of the knotts rice & pasta mix, cookies, apples, rice treats, easy mac, salad dressing & juice drinks. Out of the fridge I grabbed 4 cooked chicken breasts, milk, hot dogs & spinach. *Tip I always have some type of cooked meat in the fridge (usually chicken). I cook extra when I make meals so I don't have to cook every night and for times like this it worked perfect. And from the freezer I grabbed some Healthy Choice meals that I had just gotten at Albertsons for .81 cents, Budget Gourmet & a paninii sandwich.
I knew where we were going had a continental breakfast so I didn't have to worry about breakfast.I also knew our room was going to have a micro and a fridge. Some hotel rooms don't have micros in the rooms but most of them have micros in the lobby that you can use.
I have also been watching my calorie intake so I was concerned about my calories as well but I think we have done pretty well so far. Here is how are meals have played out so far.

The first night we were here I made a rice mix in one of my rubbermaids in the microwave. I heated up two of the chicken breasts (they were huge plenty for all four of us) and we had spinach salad. We were all stuffed.
The next morning we had continental breakfast. For lunch the kids had Easy Mac & hot dogs.* Tip when ever I go threw a drive threw I ask for extra k-up pack or ranch or whatever they might have. This way I can thow it in my going way bag for times like these. I had Healthy Choice meal and I went to Fred Meyer and bought some broccoli for .58 cent a lb (I forgot mine at home) & Ziplock ready steam bags. They worked great! I snacked on broccoli the rest of the day. Dinner the kids and I splurged on a $5 pizza from Little Cesar's! I also had spinach salad.
Morning was continental breakfast again if you stay in a hotel make sure they have some type of breakfast. Most places do now days it just makes for less work and less money to spend on your trip. Lunch~ I had a Budget Gourmet and more steamed broccoli. The kids snacked on popcorn chicken from Walmart, grapes, & juice boxes. Dinner tonight is going to be rotisserie chicken from walmart today, Knotts pasta, and spinach salad. For desert we are going to get our free frosties from Wendys we got a few weeks ago. Had we eaten out for all those meals it would of cost us at least $13 per meal. This is such a huge savings.
If you are planning a trip stop and think about what you can fix in the micro wherever you go you can have a delictious and healthy meal. I have also been known to take our toaster oven to hotel rooms with us & our portable bbq. Most convenient stores have microwaves you can use also. They dont mind that is what they are for.
On the way home tomorrow I am goin to get the kids DQ . I have found that they have the least expensive kids meals $2.99 and you get an ice cream treat with them instead of the toy (my kids dont even miss the toy). We dont always get the treat when we get the meal we save it for a night when we all want ice cream but dont want to spend alot of money. I will heat up a panini sandwich I brought from home.
The other two chicken breast are going to go in my husbands lunch along with some cooked rice. He wont be home until Tuesday night so this will hold him over until he gets home.
Overall I spent $5 on a pizza, $1.88 on popcorn chicken, $11.08 at Fred Meyer for grapes, brocoli, Ziplock steam bags, milk, a bag of baby spinich & a magazine for me, $5.99 for a rotiseray chicken & $2.99 ea for kids meals. Total = $29.93 + tax. Had I not thought meals through before I left I could of easilly spent that on one meal out. =)
See there is more to traveling than just cold sandwiches! What are your great ideas for traveling meals?

Making Your Own Laundry Detergent

I was watching a show on TLC 18 Kids & Counting and one of the eppisodes they made their own laundry detergent and they said it only costs a penny a load. Well, around December I thought I would try it. I Googled "making your own laundry detergent" and found this great blog ( The Simple Dollar) that showed pics and even had a little Utube video.
The detergent is make out of simple ingredients: 1 bar of soap, borax, washing soda & water.
Well, it works great! We have saved alot of money since December. A batch of this recipie lasts us a month or longer. It costs $0.50 cents a batch.

Tip: I use my old salad shooter to shred the bar soap. If you dont have one you might run across one at a yard sale or thrift store. It makes it fast & easy.
Link: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/15/how-to-make-your-own-laundry-detergent-and-save-big-money/

Easter Ham?

What to do with all that left over Easter ham? Dont throw it out! I have a few ideas. I divided mine into three gallon storage bags. I cut the meat away from the bone in one bag. The other two bags had slices in them. We had quite a bit. I bought a 10lb ham! One of the bags of slices I froze and the other bag I have plans for.
This is what we had. We had leftovers one night, I also made split pea soup for lunches out of the bone, we had ham & grilled cheese sandwiches. Tierd of ham?
Well, just freeze it. It frezzes beautifuly. You can dice it up and put in individual ziplocks for future scrambled eggs or a quiche or you can mix it with mac & cheese for the kids. Or you can even put in on english muffin pizzas w/ pineapple.
You still have some left? Make a casserole. Cook your favorite pasta to aldente then put it in a 9x13 pan with a container of alfredo sause, your leftover ham, peas, parm cheese a little salt, pepper & garlice powder and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly! Hows that for ham?

Easter Baskets For About $10!!!

Every year I end up spending alot of money on Easter baskets. This year we just dont have it to spend so I gave myself a goal of only spending $10 on each easter basket. I dont think they played out too bad. We already had our Easter baskets & grass so I didnt have to buy that. Here is the break down:

Linden' Basket:

$2.50 T-shirt From Disney store purchased in July on sale

$3.00 Toy Keys from Walmart

$1.00 Jump rope from Walmart

$1.00 Frisbee from Walmart

$1.00 Kite

$ .39 Peeps Walgreens

$ .39 Snickers Walgreens

$ .33 Stickers

$ .50 Pen

___________

Total $10.11 + Tax

Kody's Basket

$1.00 Kite from Walmart

$1.00 Frisbee from Walmart

$1.00 Jump rope from Walmart

$1.00 Cap gun (I picked this up on clearane at Walgreens in the summer)

$1.00 Cap refills

$2.00 T-shirt Walmart(clearance)

$ .39 Peeps

$ .39 Snickers

$ .33 Stickers

$ .50 Pen

____________

Total $8.61 + Tax

It took a little planning and looking around the stores to find everything but when it all came together I dont think they turned out too bad.

I do try to buy things in advance like Lindens t-shirt and Kodys cap gun. If you find things at a great price pick them up. Then it wont seem so noticeable on your pocket book when you do need a present. Happy Hunting!

Coupon Craze!!!!

If you havent notices coupons are in! Everyone is couponing these days and if you arent you are wondering how do I do this. Well, I have found a few local gals that are doing a great job at it and are sharing all thier tips with everyone.
If you really dont know what the coupon craze is then let me tell you. These laddies and thousands others accross the country have found way to get stuff for at least a 50% savings. This is huge! Can you imagine cutting your grocery bill in half or even more? Well, I am here to tell you that it works! I have been saving at least 50% off of my purchases. I am having a great time doing it but couldnt of done it without a good start.
Take a look at these links and they will help you with your coupons! A Thrifty Mom or Jenn with a blog at Idaho Press Tribune Live On Coupons blog. She is teaching classes about couponing. I went to one about a month ago and found it very helpful. Happy couponing!!!!! Let me know your great deals!

Yard Sales Anyone?!?!!

Yard Sale season is upon us!!! This is my favorite time of year. I am very excited! It will be interesting to see what the times will do to yard sales. More? Less? Hire prices? Lower prices? It will be interesting to see.
Never the less Yard Sales are great. This is a great way to find the things you need for a fraction of the price. Clothes, toys, furniture, bikes, housewares, ect.. Just about anything you can find at Yard Sales.
I have found some great finds at Yard Sales! I always buy part of my kids clothes at Yard Sales. I find great stuff. Gap, The Childrens Place, Carters, ect.. are some of the brands that I find. You would never know that I find my stuff at Yard Sales.
My husband resently pointed out to me how much money we spent on clothes last year. I had not really thought about it. $350 for 4 of us! Two adults and a 5 year old son and a 1 year old daughter. WOW!! Part of that was a great thanks to yard selling. I buy my kids snow coats, boots, hats, and snow pants at yard sales. This is a huge savings!
I also love to decorate! Anyone who has been to my house or seen my garage of "good intentions" knows this. I am able to afford this by Yard Selling! My husband and I added up how much it cost me to decorate my beautiful living room. $350 dollars! Thats it! Wow, this includes a Pottery Barn couch, a couple antiques & a player piano that is waiting to get through the door!
How do I start? Its easy. Just start stopping at the SALES! Pull over. Thats it. If you set out to go Yard Selling have an idea of what you might need. Wheather you might be school shopping or decorating a specific room but dont pass up those deals you cant resist. As long as you are going to use what you buy in the next month or so. Follow these Tips for a great experiance!
1. Go with someone!
2. Tell who you are with what you are looking for. They may see what you dont. 2 sets of eyes are better than one. It is amazing what my 5 year old son sees that I dont! I think its cause he is shorter to the ground but never the less it helps! Thats why it is good to go with someone.
3. Dont be affraid to make an offer for lower on something. The worst anyone can say is no or leave a bid if no one buys the item you want then they might call you. Or if you are not sure about an item get thier number. They might take lower later.
4. Use the news paper to map out your Sales you are going to stop at. Both local papers have maps of all the sales in the valley.
5. Have fun! If you dont enjoy it dont do it. Leave the yard selling to the rest of us but dont knock it until you've tried it. I have turnned alot of people onto Yard Selling!! Good Luck!

Buy Bulk!

Have you ever looked at what they have in the bulk food isle in Winco or Fredmeyer? They have just about anything you want from flour, beans, rice, spieces, peanuts, candy, pretzles, and even dog and cat food.
I resently bought unsalted peanuts and make my own peanut butter! It worked great. The kids love it. It is healthier cause I can controll what goes in it & less expensive.
I have make my own spice mixes too! Ranch, taco seasoning, sloppy joe seasoning. This is less expensive and its healthier. It cuts out the MSG which we all know is bad for us!
We also cook our own beans. I use beans in everything. I make alot of taco meat and to double the meat I add cooked black beans. This saves money and is a great way to get a good source of fiber into your diet. The kids not even notice the beans. Try white beans in sloppy joes, kidney beans in taco soup & chicken tortilla soup. Great way to save and strech out the protien source! Try it!

Start a Garden!

Have you ever heard the saying " grow a garden & you will never go hungry? Well, its time to start! Dont know how to start a garden? Its easy! You can start your seeds at home or buy your starts around the first week in May. To start your starts at home buy some seeds at the store tomatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkins, green beans, ect.. (save your egg cartons and milk jugs) put some soil in the egg cartons (if you dont want to buy any soil just dig some up outside, thats where the plants are going to grow anyways) plant your seeds and water. Let the kids help! They will have a great time growing things at home.
Dont have an acctual spot for a garden? Work it into your landscaping. One of the homes we lived in didnt have a "garden spot" so I just planted my squash in the landscaping! It looked great & when July, August & Sept rolled around we had lots of squash to share with the neighbors.
Planting a garden is a great way to save money even if it is just a few things you plant. I reccomend planting tomatoes, peppers, squash & pumpkins at least. Do you buy pumpkins in the fall? If you do you will know that they are about $3 ea. Well you can get about 12 for a pack of $1 seeds. You can plant them right into your landscaping. Your sprinkler will probabbly even water them for you. Great savings!
Extra tomatoes I can. Extra peppers and sqash I blanch and freeze. The possiblities are endless with a garden. It is a great way to save money and live healthy.
~Tip~ The milk jugs are to cover your plants if we have a late freeze. Just cut off the tops and turn them upside down when it freezes and your plants will stay safe!

Unplugging!!

I recorded an Oprah show that talked about unplugging. This means unplugging everything in the home you are not using. My family started this around Valentines Day and we have seen a huge drop in our power bill. This last month we were down almost half of what we used last year for that month. I cant wait to get out next power bill to see what we have saved. Try it see what it does to your bill!

Lets Save!!

Well, with the economy the way it is who doesnt want to save? I am sharing my saving ideas that I have put into place in my home that have worked great for us. I hope I can help more people out. I have just started gathering ideas and putting them into place. If it hasnt been my idea I will let you know where I got it from. I want to give credit where credit is due. I get my ideas from magazines, tv (Today Show, Oprah, local news) news paper, & radio. If I see a preview for a show that is going to have money saving tips I record it and watch it when I have time. ( That way I dont have to sit and wait for it to come on. I can just use my DVR to record it and scroll right to the tip I am looking for.)