You have extra samples that you dont use? Extra items you bought and cant use? Well this has happened more times than I can remember. There are plenty of ways to get rid of these items. Or maybe your thinking "I dont need diapers so why should I request them? Well here are a few things you can do with things.
1. Build a gift basket. Find a basket, fill it with maybe beauty items and give to a friend who just needs it. Maybe call it a relax basket. Have a friend who is expecting? Put together a basket full of free samples of baby items.
2. Donate them. I donate all items we dont use, have too many of, or just laying around to local womens shelters. They can always use anything. Diapers are always in demand so even if you dont have a baby, still get them and donate them. Shampoo's, anything you use on a daily basis, can be donated.
3. Think again. Diapers are good if you have girls. I have 4 daughters and I use all diapers sent to me for their baby dolls. The ones you can buy for their dolls are expensive and these work just as well if not better. All bottles, sippy cups, or bibs I get for free go to them. And if they already have them, I donate them to the local womens shelter.
4. Travel bags. I keep all toothpaste, mouthwash, lotions, perfume samples,shampoo's, etc for when we travel. Perfect size for flying, plus the wont pop open on you. Added bonus is that your bag wont be as bulky. Ever try to stuff a full size bottle of shampoo in your bag? No fun.
5. Keep and have a switch party. I had a party and invited all my friends and neighbors over to do a switch-a-roo. We all brought samples, coupons, decorative items, and even clothes. We set them on a table and once everyone was there, we all went shopping. One persons extra is another persons must need.
6. Med's. All those gas x samples, antacid ones, etc. These alone have saved me so much money. I just keep a small lined basket above my stove full of these items. Ive yet had to buy any of these kinds of med's in a few years.
7. Stash away!-I save all goodies for later use. Granola bars, small bags of chips, granola, etc. I save these and use them when we go for a long day trip, walks, etc. This saves me a bundle as well. Plus its an extra treat for my girls. I dont buy those kinds of things and its a extra suprise for them. I just explain to them that these things arent the healthiest but they are okay once in a while. They understand and appreciate.
8. Perfume's? I tear them off the cardboard paper they come on, and put them in my purse for later use. You never know when you need a little extra freshening for a unexpected event. Just pull one of those out and your ready to go. Or you can use them when traveling.
9. Movie Night? We have movie night once or twice a week. We get a free movie off the internet, and I pull out samples of popcorn ive recieved. I will pop some of my own popcorn and add in the sample one. Extra bit of flavoring but not as bad for you. Kids just love the suprise factor.
10. Toys. Yes sometimes you get toys for free. Lego's and even knects offer free toys. If you dont have a boy or your kids dont need any new toys, just use them for gifts later. Free lotions, etc are also good gifts to give.
So next time your hunting for free things, dont hesitate if you dont need it. Someone will need it and you will always find a use for them. Plus donating things helps out so many people who dont have access to computers or are less fortunate. It always feels better to help others.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Freebies
Free BeachNut Parents pack when you call 1-800-523-6633. Answer a few questions and get a free pack. Ive heard you get free products, samples and coupons.FREE BREAKFAST AT IKEA
Ikea is offering a free breakfast until 10am January 30th - Febuary 1st. Call ahead to see if your local Ikea is partisipating.
Free Sunkist Lemonaid Stand
www.sunkist.com
Click on "take a stand" For kids ages 7-11. Let your child have a lemonaid stand to raise money for a cause of their choice. Just write a short essar (100words) of why you want to have one, how many people, doing this alone, etc. You will recieve a free lemonaid stand. This one is just amazing.
A CUP FULL -samples and more!
Check out www.acupfull.com and sign up with them. Its a forum full of coupons, and samples from people like you. Free to use, only need to register which takes less than a minute. Ive already checked it out and its great!
Possibly FREE Bag of dog or cat food
www.giveabowl.com and click on "download a great savings coupon". It will ask a few questions about your pet (dog or cat) and you can request a coupon ($4 off) by mail or email (you then will print it). Use on any Purina brand bags of food except trial size. Plus they will donate $1 to the cherity of your choice in your local area.
Freezing Banana's -Easy instructions
Yes, you can freeze banana's. Crazy huh? I just recently started doing this and I wish I could of found this out a LONG time ago. This would of saved me a bundle.
Depending on what store you shop at, most the time they will have a area for banana's that have black spots and are usually half price. These I bought today for 39 cents per lb but I have found them for as low as 29 cents per lb. This is a excellent price. So I buy as much as I can, take them home and get a cookie sheet out.
I peel them all, and put the peels in my countertop compost bucket (available at World Market for $14.99).
I break each banana in 3 pieces, and lay on the cookie sheet making sure they dont touch.
Then put in the freezer for a few hours or until frozen completely.
Take out of the freezer and put in a seperate ziplock bag.
Put back into the freezer.
These can be frozen for up to 3 months and used in so many things. When you need them, take them out and let thaw out (or put in microwave). What I like about the frozen banana's is you dont have to cut them up into pieces. They are softer than fresh ones and you can just break them up with your wooden spoon. They can be used in muffins (our favorite), puddings, etc. Anything you want that involves banana's.
This method can be used for tons of other produce. Bell peppers, beans, corn, beans, and just about anything you want to freeze before they go bad or you want to last for a long time.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
www.reusablebags.com OVERSTOCK SALE
Here's the scoop, they are having a handfull of products that are extremely overstocked-they basically are giving them away at cost.
They have a coupon that gives you a extra 20% off sale items. Thats right! Check out their site and get items 5%-70% off. From water bottles, bags, to totes.
Just type in CODE20 and get an extra 20 % off each sale item. Yes, its true.
HURRY NOW, OFFER EXPIRES 1/31 midnight
This is my number one green company that I buy from. The most budget friendly products for any family. Everything for all family members.
10 Super Low Cost Budget Meals (or even free!)
So to make my food budget stretch even further, here are some meals I make that are super cheap. Most are super easy to make too.
1. Chili-4 cups of Kidney Beans (canned or dried that you have cooked and froze)
2 Palm fulls of Chili Powder
1/2 Palm full of Cumin
1/2 of medium onion chopped
1 tsp Minced Garlic or 1/2 tsp dried Garlic Powder
Optional: for added fresh flavor add red/green/or yellow pepper chopped up(or frozen) Serve with crackers of any kind. Saltines are super cheap.
How much to make: $1 if you cooked the beans yourself.
$2 if you buy canned beans
2. Noodles with White Sauce -1lb Whole Wheat Noodles
2 tbsp Butter or Olive Oil
2 tbsp Flour
2 cups Milk (or 2/3 cup powdered milk with 2 cups water)
How much to make: $1 for the noodles in bulk
Everything else should be in your pantry
3. Bread Crumb Noodles-1 lb (or 3 cups)
1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
3 tbsp Olive oil or Butter
1 tsp Garlic minced or 1/2 tsp Dried Garlic Powder
Boil noodles till done. Seperate pan heat up oil on medium, add garlic, cook for 30 seconds, add bread crumbs, cook for 1 minute, add noodles and stir. Done.
Optional: Parm cheese sprinkled on top.
How much to make:$1 for bulk noodles
Everything else should be in your pantry.
4. Everything Soup- Use any vetetable that needs to be used in your fridge
Stock of any kind. (I always make mine with chicken bones from dinners in the past)
Pasta or Rice (what ever you have)
Crackers are optional. Saltines are super cheap.
How much to make: Free if you use what you have that is going bad and needed cooking.
Or you can buy whatever items you want and could cost up to $5.
5. Macaroni and Cheese-1 lb Whole Noodles of any kind
2 tbsp Flour
2 tbsp Butter or Oil
2 cups of milk (or 2/3 cup of powdered milk with 2 cups of water)
1/2 cup Cheese of any kind
How much to make: $1.50. Noodles are $1 and about 50 cents worth of cheese. Everything else should be in your pantry.
6. Egg Drop Soup-1 egg
2 tbsp Corn Starch
3 cups of broth (homemade or bought)
Combine broth and cornstarch and heat till boiling and clear. 2 tsp of broth and 1 egg mixed in small bowl, add slowly when broth is done. Egg will cook all stringy. Done.Optional: Chives or dried chives. Sprinkle in Soy Sauce for added flavor.
Cost to make:25 cents if you use your own free homemade broth (reccomended) or could cost up to $3 to make if you buy broth.
7. Warm rice and milk-1 cup hot cooked rice (use left overs)
1 cup of milk (or 1/3 cup powdered milk with 1 cup of water)
Sprinkle of Cinnamon
1/2 tsp sugar
dab of Butter
Put all in a bowl, mix and serve. My childhood favorite. Kids just love this one. Plus wonderful on a cold day.
Cost to make:Free if you use left over rice and powdered milk. Could cost up to $1 if buy the rice, cook it and add fresh milk.
8. Pasta with red sauce-1 lb of whole wheat noodles
1 can of pasta sauce or crushed tomatoe
1/2 can of black olives (use other half for another dinner)
Optional: Parm cheese if you have it
Cost to make: $2.25
9. Mexican Rice -3 cups Brown Rice (or white)
1 cup Black Beans (cooked, and froze. Or bought canned)
1 Palm of Cumin
2 Palm of Chili Powder
1 tsp Garlic Minced or 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
1 cup Frozen Corn or canned
Cook rice, add spices and garlic, corn, and beans. Add water if needed. Done. You can eat this alone, add it on lettus to make a mexican salad, put it in taco's(stretching your budget even further), or add 1 cup of broth and make a mexican soup.
Cost to make:$2 if you make and freeze your own beans from dried beans, and buy rice in bulk. Otherwise its about $4 if you bought everything canned or easy to make.
10. Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup-Bread
Cheese
1 can of Tomato Soup
Cost to make:About 1.50. Super easy to make. Very filling and super yummy on a cold day.
I make these on a regular basis. This has cut cost down in so many ways. I usually make 3-4 meatless dinners a week. Since most have beans in it, we still get our protein intake. All are made with Whole Wheat or Brown Rice so you get plenty of fiber. I try to use fresh produce that last a long time. Like Carrots, Onions, and Celery. These are budget friendly because they can last up to 2 weeks in your fridge and you can use them when needed in many meals. I reccomend cooking dried beans highly. This alone saves me a bundle. $1 average for 1 lb of beans. When cooked this will make 4-6 cups of beans. If you bought canned beans, it would cost you $6 to get the same amount. I also reccomend buying your spices either in bulk or places like Walmart which are only 50 cents. We go through so much Chili Powder, Cumin, and Garlic Powder. One added reccomendation is buying in bulk. Places like Winco have bulk items for super cheap and are adding more and more healthy options like whole wheat and organic items. Also try to make your own broth and freeze it. Just need bones and water to make. Super easy. Boil water and bones on low boil for 20 minutes. Refridgerate, skin off fat that will harden and float up to the top, and freeze for later use. Done!
My monthly food budget is $400 for a family of 6. I usually have some money left over to save for splurges later.
1. Chili-4 cups of Kidney Beans (canned or dried that you have cooked and froze)
2 Palm fulls of Chili Powder
1/2 Palm full of Cumin
1/2 of medium onion chopped
1 tsp Minced Garlic or 1/2 tsp dried Garlic Powder
Optional: for added fresh flavor add red/green/or yellow pepper chopped up(or frozen) Serve with crackers of any kind. Saltines are super cheap.
How much to make: $1 if you cooked the beans yourself.
$2 if you buy canned beans
2. Noodles with White Sauce -1lb Whole Wheat Noodles
2 tbsp Butter or Olive Oil
2 tbsp Flour
2 cups Milk (or 2/3 cup powdered milk with 2 cups water)
How much to make: $1 for the noodles in bulk
Everything else should be in your pantry
3. Bread Crumb Noodles-1 lb (or 3 cups)
1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
3 tbsp Olive oil or Butter
1 tsp Garlic minced or 1/2 tsp Dried Garlic Powder
Boil noodles till done. Seperate pan heat up oil on medium, add garlic, cook for 30 seconds, add bread crumbs, cook for 1 minute, add noodles and stir. Done.
Optional: Parm cheese sprinkled on top.
How much to make:$1 for bulk noodles
Everything else should be in your pantry.
4. Everything Soup- Use any vetetable that needs to be used in your fridge
Stock of any kind. (I always make mine with chicken bones from dinners in the past)
Pasta or Rice (what ever you have)
Crackers are optional. Saltines are super cheap.
How much to make: Free if you use what you have that is going bad and needed cooking.
Or you can buy whatever items you want and could cost up to $5.
5. Macaroni and Cheese-1 lb Whole Noodles of any kind
2 tbsp Flour
2 tbsp Butter or Oil
2 cups of milk (or 2/3 cup of powdered milk with 2 cups of water)
1/2 cup Cheese of any kind
How much to make: $1.50. Noodles are $1 and about 50 cents worth of cheese. Everything else should be in your pantry.
6. Egg Drop Soup-1 egg
2 tbsp Corn Starch
3 cups of broth (homemade or bought)
Combine broth and cornstarch and heat till boiling and clear. 2 tsp of broth and 1 egg mixed in small bowl, add slowly when broth is done. Egg will cook all stringy. Done.Optional: Chives or dried chives. Sprinkle in Soy Sauce for added flavor.
Cost to make:25 cents if you use your own free homemade broth (reccomended) or could cost up to $3 to make if you buy broth.
7. Warm rice and milk-1 cup hot cooked rice (use left overs)
1 cup of milk (or 1/3 cup powdered milk with 1 cup of water)
Sprinkle of Cinnamon
1/2 tsp sugar
dab of Butter
Put all in a bowl, mix and serve. My childhood favorite. Kids just love this one. Plus wonderful on a cold day.
Cost to make:Free if you use left over rice and powdered milk. Could cost up to $1 if buy the rice, cook it and add fresh milk.
8. Pasta with red sauce-1 lb of whole wheat noodles
1 can of pasta sauce or crushed tomatoe
1/2 can of black olives (use other half for another dinner)
Optional: Parm cheese if you have it
Cost to make: $2.25
9. Mexican Rice -3 cups Brown Rice (or white)
1 cup Black Beans (cooked, and froze. Or bought canned)
1 Palm of Cumin
2 Palm of Chili Powder
1 tsp Garlic Minced or 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
1 cup Frozen Corn or canned
Cook rice, add spices and garlic, corn, and beans. Add water if needed. Done. You can eat this alone, add it on lettus to make a mexican salad, put it in taco's(stretching your budget even further), or add 1 cup of broth and make a mexican soup.
Cost to make:$2 if you make and freeze your own beans from dried beans, and buy rice in bulk. Otherwise its about $4 if you bought everything canned or easy to make.
10. Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup-Bread
Cheese
1 can of Tomato Soup
Cost to make:About 1.50. Super easy to make. Very filling and super yummy on a cold day.
I make these on a regular basis. This has cut cost down in so many ways. I usually make 3-4 meatless dinners a week. Since most have beans in it, we still get our protein intake. All are made with Whole Wheat or Brown Rice so you get plenty of fiber. I try to use fresh produce that last a long time. Like Carrots, Onions, and Celery. These are budget friendly because they can last up to 2 weeks in your fridge and you can use them when needed in many meals. I reccomend cooking dried beans highly. This alone saves me a bundle. $1 average for 1 lb of beans. When cooked this will make 4-6 cups of beans. If you bought canned beans, it would cost you $6 to get the same amount. I also reccomend buying your spices either in bulk or places like Walmart which are only 50 cents. We go through so much Chili Powder, Cumin, and Garlic Powder. One added reccomendation is buying in bulk. Places like Winco have bulk items for super cheap and are adding more and more healthy options like whole wheat and organic items. Also try to make your own broth and freeze it. Just need bones and water to make. Super easy. Boil water and bones on low boil for 20 minutes. Refridgerate, skin off fat that will harden and float up to the top, and freeze for later use. Done!
My monthly food budget is $400 for a family of 6. I usually have some money left over to save for splurges later.
Freefly -Cheap is good but free is better!
You have an account with Freefly? If not, check them out. There is tons of free samples all in one spot. If your new to getting free stuff, this is a great place to stop. If your a advid reader of mine, chances are you have all the samples they list. I just checked and there wasnt anything I havent signed up for already. But its still a great place to check back now and again.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Freebies
Free 1 year subscription to Martha Stewart Living
Simple survey about your favorite breakfast.
Gold Rewards always come and never send a bill. On the question on the right, they will ask if you want to be notified if there are samples, contest, etc. Click on the samples one and they will send you emails for other magazine offers. This is how I find these offers.
After you fill this one out you will get a offer for Forbes Magazine. This is also a great magazine.
Thats all I could find but its a GOODY! This is the first time ive seen Martha Stewart actually "give away" subscriptions. This is such a wonderful magazine and even more amazing now because its FREE!
Free 1 yr subscription to Soul and
After you do a short survey about how you exercise, get this for free. Then once you do that, you get the chance to get:
Working Mother Magazine 1 free year subscription
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Freebies
First 2 million who sign up with Diet Dr Pepper get a free 2 liter or 20 oz soda. Sign up here from 1/26-3/31 but hurry before they are gone. Coupon should arrive between 3-6 weeks.
Not a whole lot up today so here are a few Walmart freebies that always come in the mail.
Free sample of Poise
Free sample of Always
Free sample of Crest Advanced Whitening Strips
Free sample of Prilosec OTC
Gold Bond Lotion Possibly Free
Print and bring into Walmart and get a small travel size one for free.
1 Free ALL YOU magazine
This magazine has great HIGH value coupons. Each magazine has at least 10 or more coupons inside. Ask for a subscription to this magazine for a gift.
Banana Foster Bread Pudding ,Yes its frugal!!
Yes, I know. Sounds like its expensive but its not. I found an amazing recipe and tweeked it to my perfection. This is so yummy and you could never even tell its frugal. Most people think "frugal" is no taste and bland pallet. Not anymore! Try this one out.
Banana Foster Bread Pudding
6 cups of bread ripped into pieces (you can save all the butt ends and make this later to save money) or buy day old bread at a discount.
2 1/4 cup milk (you can use prepared powdered milk and it taste the same)
3 eggs
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla (or banana flavoring)
3 banana's or fruit of choice
Tip: I buy spotted banana's for 29 cents per lb, cut them each into 3 pcs and freeze on baking sheet. Then take out and put into ziplock bag for later use. They will be easy to mush.Last 3 months)
Optional:ice cream, or frugal thing is confectioners sugar for dusting.
Heat oven to 350 degree's. Tear bread apart and put into pan you are using. I use a larger 9inch pan, use what you can. 2 8x8 will work too. Put into oven and bake until a little crisp to add flavor.
Wisk milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla into a bowl until sugar disolves. Pour over your bread cubes and gently stir. Let stand for a few minutes. (I just bake and dont wait)
Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 25 minutes. Enough time to let pudding set.
Take out and let stand for about 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners sugar.
This is so easy and takes such little amount of items to make. You can use any fruit you want with this one. Dried fruit works well. We just love banana's the best. If you dont have fruit, just use fruit flavoring. Same affect. Add cinnamon and dried apples. Or maybe just raisens. This is up to you. Options are endless.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Freebies
So as you can tell, I took the weekend off. With both house's keeping us busy, I really needed a break from everything. I just wanted to stay home and do nothing. Fun huh? Well with 4 kids in tow 27-7, nothing is so much fun. I guess it was good I took a break, there was only one thing I could find today. Crazy. Its just been too slow lately.FREE Welcome Kit and Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Sample
The Start Making Choices Welcome Kit Your includes a sample of Orville Redenbacher's Natural Gourmet Popping Corn in the new Lime and Salt flavor, plus coupons for: Hunt's Tomatoes, Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers, Healthy Choice Café Steamers, and Orville Redenbacher's Natural Gourmet Popping Corn. Click on 'free popcorn sample' to the right of page. Then click on 'get your free welcome kit'. You will then be asked to sign in or register for your FREE Start Making Choices Welcome Kit.Click here for Start Making Choices Welcome Kit
Friday, January 23, 2009
Top 10 tips for a less waste 2009
I cannot express enough how important it is to reduce waste. Not only does this reduce the amount of waste that will end up in our landfills, but its a money saver. Here are a few tips brought to you by www.reusablebags.com and myself. Reusablebags is my #1 store where I find bags, containers, and just plain inspiration from. So here you go...
1. Ditch Dryer Sheets. Yes, we love the smelly dryer sheets and dont think twice when we use them and throw them away. Think about it, you use one per load of laundry. And I could go on and on about the chemicals they put in them that are very unhealthy. If your like me, I do 2 loads a day, thats 2x365=730 a year. Adds up. Well now there are plenty of ways to get around this. Dont use them, use plant based liquid softner, biodegradable sheets, or you can even find dryer balls at www.reusablebags.com for around $17. They are pretty neat and im ordering them very soon. Just think how much money you will save from not buying them.
2. Bring your own cup. Yes you can do this. Ive yet to find someone object to putting a drink in my own cup I brought from home. Starbucks, Tulleys, and even little coffee shops will do it for you. They encourage you to do this. Less cups they have to buy, less tree's to be cut down, less waste in the landfill, less you have to recycle. Bringing the cost down for everyone involved.
3. Use reusable utensils. Yep, seems little but helps out alot. There are several options for you. You can use your own from home, you can buy traveling ones made from bamboo, or now Whole Foods has earth friendly options. For a little over a buck, you can buy silverware made from corn. Yep, use them then throw them away. They are biodegradable and look exactly like the plastic ones. I use these everytime I throw a birthday party. And when I hand them out, I tell everyone (usually children) and they just love this information and talk about it. Hopefully inspired and told their parents. Just think how many plastic utensils you threw away in your lifetime and I can almost guarentee that they are still in a landfill somewhere.
4. Bag the Sandwich baggie. Another thing I was guilty of until just about a year ago. Ziplock bags. Yes very handy but very harmfull. They pullute our earth in more ways than one. Landfills are packed full of them, and they end up in oceans killing marine animals and fish. Just think how many you use, then remember that almost everyone in the world use's them. Makes my stomach hurt thinking about it. You can not only reduce your use of them but actually cut them out of your life all the way. Use friendly plastics and containers. I use mostly Tupperware but you could use Rubbermaid or whatever you want. My daughters have enough room for a sandwich, crackers, fruit, and even a drink in their regular size lunch box's. Only time I use ziplock type bags is when I freeze my meat. I reuse them until they fall apart. I just wash them very well and hang dry them. I feel so much better knowing that I help with the decline of ziplocks. Contact your ziplock company and express how you want them to make biodegradable ones. You can buy sandwich wraps made from fabric at www.reusablebags.com for pretty cheap as ell. There are many other companies too, just google it.
5. Say "NO" to gift wrap. At christmas this is really hard to do. I start saving up newpaper a month befor christmas to use as wrap. Its recycling at its best. We use left over ribbon or twine too. We also make our own gift tags. You can even reuse paper that people wrapped your gift in. Just turn it over, let your kids color it, and wrap the gift up. Or you can just put it in a basket. I bought baskets from thrift stores and used them for gifts at christmas time. Wrapping paper has chemicals in it that can do harm. If you burn it, it releases them into the air. Just plain bad in every way. So express to people that you dont like gift wrap, tell them just to not wrap it or get creative.
6. Reuse a plastic bag. Im pretty good at not having them but every once in a while one slips in somehow. I will reuse it as a trash bag, donate them to thrift stores, recycle them, and pretty much do anything but throw them away. Some stores have biodegradable ones which is so amazing. You know they pay more for them and im sure they know its better. As stated in #4, wash them and reuse them. Use them to organize crafts, hold toys(barbies etc.), get creative.
7. Bring a bottle. Going for a walk, bring your own water in a reusble bottle. Lunch? Pack your own drink. Work? Bring your own. Even if you want to buy a coffee, just give them your cup to fill up. Just do it!
8. Pack a sustainable lunch. We reuse our lunch box's until they fall apart before we buy another one. Use safe plastic storage containers. Make everything so you dont have to pay and recycle packaging. Bring your own utensils or buy biodegradable ones. My girls do this everyday and we have no waste from any of their lunches. None, zip, ziltch. Its worth the investment to buy reusable containers. If you have money, just find them on www.reusablebags.com but if you dont , their are options. I found all my Tupperware in thrift stores. Took a few months to gather everything but I did it. I think I paid maybe $10 total for all my Tupperware in my home. Ive saved over $100 easily over a few months from not buying ziplock bags or buying prepackaged food.
9.Carry a reusable shopping bag. Now days their is no excuse to not use them. They are everywhere. I would reccomend getting them from thrift stores first. I frequent these stores alot and see them all the time. Or you can make your own out of old clothes. Get creative and make one you will love. There are free patterns all over the net. Or you can buy one from your favorite store or www.reusablebags.com even has hundreds of choice's. My favorite bags are from reusable bags. My 2nd favorites are from Trader Joe's. They are made from sturdy fabrics and have amazing handles. Only $1.99. I bought organic cotton mesh bags from reusablebags and use them for my produce. I can wash them whenever I need to. I have a large bag, several small bags and my mesh bags all put into my large bag in my van. Carry with me at all times. If I can carry my items, I will do this too. Do you really need a bag to hold 2 packs of toilet paper? no. Last time I went grocery shopping, I forgot my bags in my van. I just paid for my items, asked them just to put them back into my shopping card, went out to my van and put the items in the bags. Rethink your thinking.
10. Buy in bulk. Winco is amazing for this one. They are the cheapest ive found for bulk items and they have way more choices than even Fred Meyers. You pay less because there is no packaging. Plus more and more there are healthy even organic options. They have Bobs Red Mill grains, organic just about anything you can think about, and even spices. I reccomend Winco highly for anyone on a budget or just wants to help out the earth.
Okay, so there are 10 ways to help out. I challenge you to rethink your lifestyle. Rethink your daily routines. Rethink your habbits. Took me a while but now its just there. I dont even have to think about it. I just do it. And you can too.
1. Ditch Dryer Sheets. Yes, we love the smelly dryer sheets and dont think twice when we use them and throw them away. Think about it, you use one per load of laundry. And I could go on and on about the chemicals they put in them that are very unhealthy. If your like me, I do 2 loads a day, thats 2x365=730 a year. Adds up. Well now there are plenty of ways to get around this. Dont use them, use plant based liquid softner, biodegradable sheets, or you can even find dryer balls at www.reusablebags.com for around $17. They are pretty neat and im ordering them very soon. Just think how much money you will save from not buying them.
2. Bring your own cup. Yes you can do this. Ive yet to find someone object to putting a drink in my own cup I brought from home. Starbucks, Tulleys, and even little coffee shops will do it for you. They encourage you to do this. Less cups they have to buy, less tree's to be cut down, less waste in the landfill, less you have to recycle. Bringing the cost down for everyone involved.
3. Use reusable utensils. Yep, seems little but helps out alot. There are several options for you. You can use your own from home, you can buy traveling ones made from bamboo, or now Whole Foods has earth friendly options. For a little over a buck, you can buy silverware made from corn. Yep, use them then throw them away. They are biodegradable and look exactly like the plastic ones. I use these everytime I throw a birthday party. And when I hand them out, I tell everyone (usually children) and they just love this information and talk about it. Hopefully inspired and told their parents. Just think how many plastic utensils you threw away in your lifetime and I can almost guarentee that they are still in a landfill somewhere.
4. Bag the Sandwich baggie. Another thing I was guilty of until just about a year ago. Ziplock bags. Yes very handy but very harmfull. They pullute our earth in more ways than one. Landfills are packed full of them, and they end up in oceans killing marine animals and fish. Just think how many you use, then remember that almost everyone in the world use's them. Makes my stomach hurt thinking about it. You can not only reduce your use of them but actually cut them out of your life all the way. Use friendly plastics and containers. I use mostly Tupperware but you could use Rubbermaid or whatever you want. My daughters have enough room for a sandwich, crackers, fruit, and even a drink in their regular size lunch box's. Only time I use ziplock type bags is when I freeze my meat. I reuse them until they fall apart. I just wash them very well and hang dry them. I feel so much better knowing that I help with the decline of ziplocks. Contact your ziplock company and express how you want them to make biodegradable ones. You can buy sandwich wraps made from fabric at www.reusablebags.com for pretty cheap as ell. There are many other companies too, just google it.
5. Say "NO" to gift wrap. At christmas this is really hard to do. I start saving up newpaper a month befor christmas to use as wrap. Its recycling at its best. We use left over ribbon or twine too. We also make our own gift tags. You can even reuse paper that people wrapped your gift in. Just turn it over, let your kids color it, and wrap the gift up. Or you can just put it in a basket. I bought baskets from thrift stores and used them for gifts at christmas time. Wrapping paper has chemicals in it that can do harm. If you burn it, it releases them into the air. Just plain bad in every way. So express to people that you dont like gift wrap, tell them just to not wrap it or get creative.
6. Reuse a plastic bag. Im pretty good at not having them but every once in a while one slips in somehow. I will reuse it as a trash bag, donate them to thrift stores, recycle them, and pretty much do anything but throw them away. Some stores have biodegradable ones which is so amazing. You know they pay more for them and im sure they know its better. As stated in #4, wash them and reuse them. Use them to organize crafts, hold toys(barbies etc.), get creative.
7. Bring a bottle. Going for a walk, bring your own water in a reusble bottle. Lunch? Pack your own drink. Work? Bring your own. Even if you want to buy a coffee, just give them your cup to fill up. Just do it!
8. Pack a sustainable lunch. We reuse our lunch box's until they fall apart before we buy another one. Use safe plastic storage containers. Make everything so you dont have to pay and recycle packaging. Bring your own utensils or buy biodegradable ones. My girls do this everyday and we have no waste from any of their lunches. None, zip, ziltch. Its worth the investment to buy reusable containers. If you have money, just find them on www.reusablebags.com but if you dont , their are options. I found all my Tupperware in thrift stores. Took a few months to gather everything but I did it. I think I paid maybe $10 total for all my Tupperware in my home. Ive saved over $100 easily over a few months from not buying ziplock bags or buying prepackaged food.
9.Carry a reusable shopping bag. Now days their is no excuse to not use them. They are everywhere. I would reccomend getting them from thrift stores first. I frequent these stores alot and see them all the time. Or you can make your own out of old clothes. Get creative and make one you will love. There are free patterns all over the net. Or you can buy one from your favorite store or www.reusablebags.com even has hundreds of choice's. My favorite bags are from reusable bags. My 2nd favorites are from Trader Joe's. They are made from sturdy fabrics and have amazing handles. Only $1.99. I bought organic cotton mesh bags from reusablebags and use them for my produce. I can wash them whenever I need to. I have a large bag, several small bags and my mesh bags all put into my large bag in my van. Carry with me at all times. If I can carry my items, I will do this too. Do you really need a bag to hold 2 packs of toilet paper? no. Last time I went grocery shopping, I forgot my bags in my van. I just paid for my items, asked them just to put them back into my shopping card, went out to my van and put the items in the bags. Rethink your thinking.
10. Buy in bulk. Winco is amazing for this one. They are the cheapest ive found for bulk items and they have way more choices than even Fred Meyers. You pay less because there is no packaging. Plus more and more there are healthy even organic options. They have Bobs Red Mill grains, organic just about anything you can think about, and even spices. I reccomend Winco highly for anyone on a budget or just wants to help out the earth.
Okay, so there are 10 ways to help out. I challenge you to rethink your lifestyle. Rethink your daily routines. Rethink your habbits. Took me a while but now its just there. I dont even have to think about it. I just do it. And you can too.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Freebies
Free 6 Valentines Cards with free shipping!
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Register, upload favorite picture, order 6, use code valentine, fill in shipping information, submit, and then submit without putting in your credit card info. It will go through anyways and its completely free! Hurry ends Febuary 1st
Walmart Crest Whitening Strips
Receive a FREE Sample of Crest Whitening Strips Advanced Seal
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Free pack of Trident
Submit a Picture for a FREE Pack of Trident Gum
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Submit a picture of you or a family member smiling and get a free pack of gum. Pretty easy form to fill out. Once per email.
Free lactaid Sample
Request a FREE Sample of Lactaid Dietary Supplements
Click here for Lactaid
Click here for Lactaid
Sams Club sample, dont have to be a member to get. These are great and perfect for when traveling. Small perfect size.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Freebies
Click here for your 3 year subscription to Diet and Nutrition magazine. Use coupon code INAUG09FREE Tampax and Always Sample Kit with 7 Samples for Teens
Click here for Tampax and Always Kit
GOLD REWARDS magazines-all are free and usually will ask to review a product like razors or something. Takes 3 minutes to do so. These magazine's always come and are completely free and send no bills. Sign up for their newletter and get offers later.
Free Latina Magazine Subscription
http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/latina/sg_latina_pg1.htm
Free Forbes Magazine Subscription
http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/forbes/sg_forbes_pg1.htm
Free Working Mothers Magazine Subscription
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Request 24 FREE Issues of Parents Magazine
Click here for Parents Magazine
FREE Sample of Quaker True Delights
Click here for Quaker True Delights
Super easy form to fill out, plus you can do this once per email you have.
Click Here for a coupon to get a free item with any purchase from Bath and Body Works signature collection. You can buy any item, even $1 item, and get a free product up to $12 value. Not a freebie but pretty darn close. Too cool to pass up!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Easy ways to cut back on your grocery bill
I have cut back alot more than usual lately. With buying a new house, selling our old house and us in between both, money is super tight. I am trying not to burdon my husband with high grocery bills. Budget was $500, then went up to $600, and now is back down to $450. Yep, $450 for a month of groceries. I can do it and will do it. Im determined. If I can save money on grocery bills, and relieve my husband of some worries, I will do it. So here is some ways ive been making things stretch further than usual.
1. Cut out meat. Yep, it can be done. Sub with some sort of protein like beans. Instead of meat in our meals 7 days a week, ive cut it down to 4. Ive been incoorporating beans into our meals so no one has even noticed. Beans are way cheaper than meat especially when bought in bulk. Usually .50-.99 cents per pound. Soak, cook for hours, and 1 lb of beans can be used in 5-6 meals.
2. No unhealthy snacks. No chips, prebaked anything, no easy to make box food, etc. Nothing. For snacks we make popcorn in our large pan. For treats, I make cookies. Or seasonal produce is bought.
3. Free is okay with me. Walks, board games, movies, craft time or just playtime listening to music. All this is free. Plus you get family time!
4. Make due with what you have. Yes it would be nice to have a new pair of shoe's. Do I really need them? No. Can I make due till later when we arent in a crunch? Yes. Yes it would be nice to have them but I dont need them. Get creative. Need to clean a stain out of your carpet? Borrow a neighbors cleaner and in return do something for them.
5. No eating out! Even if its a $1 item, its $1 more than you have. You will feel guilty later when you needed that money to buy groceries, plus its almost always unhealthy. Avoid these places and you wont even notice it.
6. Take handouts. Yes, get over it and do it. Give your old items you dont need to others. Its a way of recycling and helping others
7. Family gathering or friends invite? Use what you have. Cookies, cakes, or even dip can easily be made with things around the house. Dont go buy a platter of food (usually $10-$20) just use your prettiest plate and make some yummy cookies. Snickerdoodles are the easiest and a favorite. Plus take little time to do.
8. Cut out uneeded spending. We turned off our dish, and got rid of our land line. $100 back in our pocket every month. Once my cell phone plan runs out, super cheap landline it is. Saving us even more money. Just cut out stuff that you really can live without. Bonus, now days you get more channels on regular tv's. A handfull of public channels, 24/7 kids toons, your regular channels 2, 6, 8, 12 and new ION channels. Plus there are about 4 religious channels too. We dont miss our other channels, just the ability to push the pause button. Oooh how I miss it.
9. Drive less. Walk to places within 2 miles of your home. You get free exercise, and no gas. Less you pay at the pump.
10. Turn down the heat. We have ours at 63 degree's at night and 69 degree's during the day. If its sunny, we just turn ours off all together and turn it back on later. The sun will heat your house, just open all your blinds or drapes.
11. If you need to buy something, buy it 2nd hand. Need extra blankets (since you turned down the heat) you can find these for $2 in thrift stores. Sometimes even less. Need kids shoe's, there are plenty there. Much less than going to the store and buying them new. Tell your friends, and family your in need of whatever it is and that you dont have money to buy them. Usually someone has extra of everything. Same goes for you. Have an extra item, give it to someone who needs it.
12. Hand me downs. Save clothes from older children and hand it down to younger ones. I have a box in each of my girls rooms full of items they need to grow into. All backpacks, shoe's, nicer clothers, lunch box's and things like that are saved in my home. Take good care of them and they will go a long time.
13. Buy food marked down. Yogurts, cheese, meat, and discontinued items are always marked down. Yogurt items are eaten so quickly that you really dont have to worry about it going bad. Meats can be frozen that day for later use. Discontinued items can be incoorporated into meals. Example:After christmas they marked down cornbread stuffing to 99 cents per box. I bought them up and we used them about once a week in our dinner meals. These items wont be around so buy them up if you can budget them in. Things like peanut butter, boxed noodles, dented can's, etc can be used later.
14. Clearance and super sales. After seasonal sales are the best. Christmas stuff like baking items, cranberry sauce, etc are super cheap. Get them while you can. Muffin papers that are christmas are super cheap, who cares if they have designs on them. They just get thrown away. Stuffed animals with christmas hats can be cut off and replaced with a pretty ribbon. Save and use for gifts later. Rethink everything you can. Think how could I use this?
Anyways, I could go on and on about stuff. Just be creative and try to rethink everything possible in your everyday life. You can save money, just rethink stuff and dont spend! lol
1. Cut out meat. Yep, it can be done. Sub with some sort of protein like beans. Instead of meat in our meals 7 days a week, ive cut it down to 4. Ive been incoorporating beans into our meals so no one has even noticed. Beans are way cheaper than meat especially when bought in bulk. Usually .50-.99 cents per pound. Soak, cook for hours, and 1 lb of beans can be used in 5-6 meals.
2. No unhealthy snacks. No chips, prebaked anything, no easy to make box food, etc. Nothing. For snacks we make popcorn in our large pan. For treats, I make cookies. Or seasonal produce is bought.
3. Free is okay with me. Walks, board games, movies, craft time or just playtime listening to music. All this is free. Plus you get family time!
4. Make due with what you have. Yes it would be nice to have a new pair of shoe's. Do I really need them? No. Can I make due till later when we arent in a crunch? Yes. Yes it would be nice to have them but I dont need them. Get creative. Need to clean a stain out of your carpet? Borrow a neighbors cleaner and in return do something for them.
5. No eating out! Even if its a $1 item, its $1 more than you have. You will feel guilty later when you needed that money to buy groceries, plus its almost always unhealthy. Avoid these places and you wont even notice it.
6. Take handouts. Yes, get over it and do it. Give your old items you dont need to others. Its a way of recycling and helping others
7. Family gathering or friends invite? Use what you have. Cookies, cakes, or even dip can easily be made with things around the house. Dont go buy a platter of food (usually $10-$20) just use your prettiest plate and make some yummy cookies. Snickerdoodles are the easiest and a favorite. Plus take little time to do.
8. Cut out uneeded spending. We turned off our dish, and got rid of our land line. $100 back in our pocket every month. Once my cell phone plan runs out, super cheap landline it is. Saving us even more money. Just cut out stuff that you really can live without. Bonus, now days you get more channels on regular tv's. A handfull of public channels, 24/7 kids toons, your regular channels 2, 6, 8, 12 and new ION channels. Plus there are about 4 religious channels too. We dont miss our other channels, just the ability to push the pause button. Oooh how I miss it.
9. Drive less. Walk to places within 2 miles of your home. You get free exercise, and no gas. Less you pay at the pump.
10. Turn down the heat. We have ours at 63 degree's at night and 69 degree's during the day. If its sunny, we just turn ours off all together and turn it back on later. The sun will heat your house, just open all your blinds or drapes.
11. If you need to buy something, buy it 2nd hand. Need extra blankets (since you turned down the heat) you can find these for $2 in thrift stores. Sometimes even less. Need kids shoe's, there are plenty there. Much less than going to the store and buying them new. Tell your friends, and family your in need of whatever it is and that you dont have money to buy them. Usually someone has extra of everything. Same goes for you. Have an extra item, give it to someone who needs it.
12. Hand me downs. Save clothes from older children and hand it down to younger ones. I have a box in each of my girls rooms full of items they need to grow into. All backpacks, shoe's, nicer clothers, lunch box's and things like that are saved in my home. Take good care of them and they will go a long time.
13. Buy food marked down. Yogurts, cheese, meat, and discontinued items are always marked down. Yogurt items are eaten so quickly that you really dont have to worry about it going bad. Meats can be frozen that day for later use. Discontinued items can be incoorporated into meals. Example:After christmas they marked down cornbread stuffing to 99 cents per box. I bought them up and we used them about once a week in our dinner meals. These items wont be around so buy them up if you can budget them in. Things like peanut butter, boxed noodles, dented can's, etc can be used later.
14. Clearance and super sales. After seasonal sales are the best. Christmas stuff like baking items, cranberry sauce, etc are super cheap. Get them while you can. Muffin papers that are christmas are super cheap, who cares if they have designs on them. They just get thrown away. Stuffed animals with christmas hats can be cut off and replaced with a pretty ribbon. Save and use for gifts later. Rethink everything you can. Think how could I use this?
Anyways, I could go on and on about stuff. Just be creative and try to rethink everything possible in your everyday life. You can save money, just rethink stuff and dont spend! lol
Monday, January 19, 2009
Freebies
3 Free Pampers Points Code
HAPPYHOLIDAY089\
Free Samples From Walmart
Check back each week, they have new samples often. These ALWAYS come in the mail. I have yet to not recieve one.
You can do this one per email. Super easy form.
If you love vanilla, you will love this one! Its my favorite.
Register with them and recieve a coupon in the mail for their vitamins for FREE! (up to $14.99 value)
Free Yogi Tea Sample here
This one comes with 3 yummy tea's
Been around for a while but still active
Free Elle magazine subscription
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Freebies
Free Subscription to Sound and Vision magazine
Free Subscription to Parent magazine
Free Subscriptions to:
Saltwater Sportsman
Islands
Yachting
cruizing world
Boating Life
Florida
Bridal Guide
Thursday, January 15, 2009
freebies
Free American Photo Magazine Subscribtion from Gold Rewards
http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/photo_em/sg_am_photo_pg1.htm
This is the best magazine place I have found. They really do tell the truth. No bills, and no obligations. All they ask is for a small survey about things from Razors, to Deoderant, to Movies. Once done, you get the chance for another magazine. Worth the 5 minutes. Ive done this and recieved magazines dozens of times now.
Free Krispy Kreme Donut!!!!
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is honoring American's sense of pride and freedom of choice on Inauguration Day, by offering a free doughnut of choice to every customer on this historic day, Jan. 20. By doing so, participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide are making an oath to tasty goodies -- just another reminder of how oh-so-sweet "free" can be.
The Inauguration Day promotional offer is good for one doughnut of choice per customer on Jan. 20. No purchase is necessary. To find a participating store near you, visit http://www.krispykreme.com/storelocator.html.
Free Maxim , Woman's Day, Forbes, Interview and Dog's Life magazine subscriptions.
Starbucks FREE TEA~~~
Look in your Safeway ad for their coupon to get a FREE tea. Yep, totally FREE! Hurry, coupon expires on January 20th.
http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/photo_em/sg_am_photo_pg1.htm
This is the best magazine place I have found. They really do tell the truth. No bills, and no obligations. All they ask is for a small survey about things from Razors, to Deoderant, to Movies. Once done, you get the chance for another magazine. Worth the 5 minutes. Ive done this and recieved magazines dozens of times now.
Free Krispy Kreme Donut!!!!
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is honoring American's sense of pride and freedom of choice on Inauguration Day, by offering a free doughnut of choice to every customer on this historic day, Jan. 20. By doing so, participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide are making an oath to tasty goodies -- just another reminder of how oh-so-sweet "free" can be.
The Inauguration Day promotional offer is good for one doughnut of choice per customer on Jan. 20. No purchase is necessary. To find a participating store near you, visit http://www.krispykreme.com/storelocator.html.
Free Maxim , Woman's Day, Forbes, Interview and Dog's Life magazine subscriptions.
Starbucks FREE TEA~~~
Look in your Safeway ad for their coupon to get a FREE tea. Yep, totally FREE! Hurry, coupon expires on January 20th.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Freebie
TODAY ONLY!!!
Sign up for a free FULL SIZE bottle of Suave
But you have to hurry, you can only get this one today.
Poise Liner or Ultra Thin Pad - FREE Sample
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Racheal Ray Dog Food Sample from Walmart
Free Tena Sample for children here
Free Febreze Sport Sample here
Not much today but a pretty good turn out
Go green? Frugal's its easier than you think!
Most people think going green cost more money, when it fact its not. Since ive gone green, ive saved myself hundreds each year. Here are some easy ways ive gone green.
Laundry-I make my own soap. I save myself $12-$20 each month just by making my own soap. I spend about 1 cent per load I wash. Yep, and its super easy. Learn how here:
http://hannaqueen.blogspot.com/2008/10/homemade-laundry-detergent-for-1-penny.html
You can use eco friendly dryer sheets which are usually about the same as standard sheets. I tear mine in half and use them a few times. They work for about 4 times. Making my sheets go super far.
Cleaners-You can make your own for pennies easily. Just look up on google "homemade cleaners" and you can find thousands of recipe's. Most cost just pennies to make.
Furniture-Instead of buying new furniture, buy second hand. Its recycling! Find a couch you love 2nd hand but its an ugly color? Buy a cotton cover for it. You can wash it whenever you want, and cotton is the most durable. This will save you hundreds of dollars. We found a table set we wanted for over $500 at Ikea, looked on www.craigslist.com and found the same identical set with matching buffet for only $400. Rethink your thinking!
Clothing-again you can save hundreds each year if you buy 2nd hand. Here are ways I save a bundle each year to buy clothes for my 4 daughters.
-2nd hand. Goodwill Outlets sell by the lb. 0-20 lb $1.59 per lb. Or buy 50 lbs of clothing and household items for .59 cents per lb. So go in with a friend and split the cost. 50 lbs of clothing for only $35? I say yes to that! And its recycling!
-Free. Let friends and family know you will take anything from them. And do the same in return. Give them clothes your children have outgrown for their kids. They will do the same. Ive given and recieved so much great clothing this way. Plus its FREE and its recycling.
Food-I buy alot of food in bulk. Its cheaper because you dont pay for packaging. Packaging im going to have to recycle when I get home. You can find lots of organic, whole grain healthy items there. Buy more, they will in return sell more items in bulk. Winco is excellent for this. Also buy from markets. They are organic, dont use pesticides, and are super cheap. Buy at the end of season and get even super deals. If you know how to can items, even better. You can save them for later. I do this with green beans. I paid $16 for a huge 20 lb box of green beans. I canned them and am still using them now 6 months later.
Household items-I shop online for alot of my green items. www.reusablebags.com has great deals. You can find anything to do with the home at this site. My #1 reccomended site of all. I found cotton organic mesh bags for my produce for only $1.99 each. Can be washed and is eco friendly. Buy or find at thrift stores(even better) and reuse your bags. Saving tree's from being cut down to make paper bags, and save plastic bags from being left all over our planet. Also saving alot of animals. This saves stores money ( bring their prices down), you money(putting that money somewhere else) and is eco friendly.
Outside-Stuff like lawn mulch, plants, and compost can be found for free. Start a compost bin by using a old trash bin with a lid by just drilling holes in it everywhere. Use this compost later for new soil. Have a friend getting rid of plants? Take them and incorporate into your garden. Left over wood from another project? Use it to make a flower bed and grow your own garden. Left over bread items? Tear them into pieces and throw them into your yard for all birds and animals to eat. Neighbor throwing out rock? Use it as barkdust. Weeds cant grow because the rocks get warm in the sunlight and they never break down. Think outside the box.
I hope ive inspired you to be more green. This is my life goal and I continue to teach and hopefully people learn how easy it can be to be green. And in return saving you some green.
-
Laundry-I make my own soap. I save myself $12-$20 each month just by making my own soap. I spend about 1 cent per load I wash. Yep, and its super easy. Learn how here:
http://hannaqueen.blogspot.com/2008/10/homemade-laundry-detergent-for-1-penny.html
You can use eco friendly dryer sheets which are usually about the same as standard sheets. I tear mine in half and use them a few times. They work for about 4 times. Making my sheets go super far.
Cleaners-You can make your own for pennies easily. Just look up on google "homemade cleaners" and you can find thousands of recipe's. Most cost just pennies to make.
Furniture-Instead of buying new furniture, buy second hand. Its recycling! Find a couch you love 2nd hand but its an ugly color? Buy a cotton cover for it. You can wash it whenever you want, and cotton is the most durable. This will save you hundreds of dollars. We found a table set we wanted for over $500 at Ikea, looked on www.craigslist.com and found the same identical set with matching buffet for only $400. Rethink your thinking!
Clothing-again you can save hundreds each year if you buy 2nd hand. Here are ways I save a bundle each year to buy clothes for my 4 daughters.
-2nd hand. Goodwill Outlets sell by the lb. 0-20 lb $1.59 per lb. Or buy 50 lbs of clothing and household items for .59 cents per lb. So go in with a friend and split the cost. 50 lbs of clothing for only $35? I say yes to that! And its recycling!
-Free. Let friends and family know you will take anything from them. And do the same in return. Give them clothes your children have outgrown for their kids. They will do the same. Ive given and recieved so much great clothing this way. Plus its FREE and its recycling.
Food-I buy alot of food in bulk. Its cheaper because you dont pay for packaging. Packaging im going to have to recycle when I get home. You can find lots of organic, whole grain healthy items there. Buy more, they will in return sell more items in bulk. Winco is excellent for this. Also buy from markets. They are organic, dont use pesticides, and are super cheap. Buy at the end of season and get even super deals. If you know how to can items, even better. You can save them for later. I do this with green beans. I paid $16 for a huge 20 lb box of green beans. I canned them and am still using them now 6 months later.
Household items-I shop online for alot of my green items. www.reusablebags.com has great deals. You can find anything to do with the home at this site. My #1 reccomended site of all. I found cotton organic mesh bags for my produce for only $1.99 each. Can be washed and is eco friendly. Buy or find at thrift stores(even better) and reuse your bags. Saving tree's from being cut down to make paper bags, and save plastic bags from being left all over our planet. Also saving alot of animals. This saves stores money ( bring their prices down), you money(putting that money somewhere else) and is eco friendly.
Outside-Stuff like lawn mulch, plants, and compost can be found for free. Start a compost bin by using a old trash bin with a lid by just drilling holes in it everywhere. Use this compost later for new soil. Have a friend getting rid of plants? Take them and incorporate into your garden. Left over wood from another project? Use it to make a flower bed and grow your own garden. Left over bread items? Tear them into pieces and throw them into your yard for all birds and animals to eat. Neighbor throwing out rock? Use it as barkdust. Weeds cant grow because the rocks get warm in the sunlight and they never break down. Think outside the box.
I hope ive inspired you to be more green. This is my life goal and I continue to teach and hopefully people learn how easy it can be to be green. And in return saving you some green.
-
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Walgreen -Seventh Generation Steals!
Check your local Walgreen's store for Seventh Generation sales. I randomly went into our store and found that they were clearancing out all Seventh Generation Spray Cleaners. Multi surface, tub and tile and even window cleaners were only $1.19. And if you have the coupons that the website sends you (their newletter sign up) , you can get a bottle of any of those for only 19 cents! Super deals!
If your not familure with this company, I did a review on them here:
http://hannaqueen.blogspot.com/2008/09/seventh-generation-reviews.html
I highly reccomend this company if you or someone you know has skin allergies. Myself and 3 of my 4 children do so I have to be super careful what I use around the house. I prefer this company not only because its safe, but its the best cleaner ive found around. I have white tile in my home and when I use regular standard cleaners, they leave a residue that I have to use glass cleaner to get off. Not with Seventh Generation. It cleans amazing, and is shiny when dry. I bought the last 3 they had, but would of bought all of them if they had more.
I am almost 100% sure that they are getting new packaging and thats why they discontinued those. Over the last few months, Seventh Generation has asked their newletter subscribers to fill out surveys about new packaging. So get the cleaner now, its the same cleaner as the new bottle.
While your at it, try all their products. I use on a regular basis their spray multi surface cleaner, and their liquid softner. I will buy their tissue but only on sale and with a coupon. Fred Meyers or Krogers have these items and they go on sale about every other month. You can use their coupons that the webisite sends. Plus when you buy the item, those handy coupons come flying out with your reciept. The other day I bought softner regularly $4.99, on sale for $3.99 and with a coupon for $1.50 off that I just recieved when I bought some spray. Super good deal. The softner says it has enough for 40 loads but I only use half the amount they ask (still smells and works great) so I get 80 loads per bottle I buy. These stores are the only ones ive found to be on sale and have coupons on a regular basis.
Now, go to www.seventhgeneration.com and sign up for their newletter. Plus you can print out some coupons right off their site. They will occasionally send you some coupons. These are great coupons. Buy them from Fred Meyers or Krogers and get coupons with your reciept.
If your not familure with this company, I did a review on them here:
http://hannaqueen.blogspot.com/2008/09/seventh-generation-reviews.html
I highly reccomend this company if you or someone you know has skin allergies. Myself and 3 of my 4 children do so I have to be super careful what I use around the house. I prefer this company not only because its safe, but its the best cleaner ive found around. I have white tile in my home and when I use regular standard cleaners, they leave a residue that I have to use glass cleaner to get off. Not with Seventh Generation. It cleans amazing, and is shiny when dry. I bought the last 3 they had, but would of bought all of them if they had more.
I am almost 100% sure that they are getting new packaging and thats why they discontinued those. Over the last few months, Seventh Generation has asked their newletter subscribers to fill out surveys about new packaging. So get the cleaner now, its the same cleaner as the new bottle.
While your at it, try all their products. I use on a regular basis their spray multi surface cleaner, and their liquid softner. I will buy their tissue but only on sale and with a coupon. Fred Meyers or Krogers have these items and they go on sale about every other month. You can use their coupons that the webisite sends. Plus when you buy the item, those handy coupons come flying out with your reciept. The other day I bought softner regularly $4.99, on sale for $3.99 and with a coupon for $1.50 off that I just recieved when I bought some spray. Super good deal. The softner says it has enough for 40 loads but I only use half the amount they ask (still smells and works great) so I get 80 loads per bottle I buy. These stores are the only ones ive found to be on sale and have coupons on a regular basis.
Now, go to www.seventhgeneration.com and sign up for their newletter. Plus you can print out some coupons right off their site. They will occasionally send you some coupons. These are great coupons. Buy them from Fred Meyers or Krogers and get coupons with your reciept.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Freebies
Obtain a One Year Subscription to Self MagazineSelf is devoted to helping you be at your best - inside and out - by showing you how to be fitter, healthier, happier, and your most beautiful. The one magazine dedicated to total well-being, incorporating beauty and health, fitness, nutrition and personal style. Complete a review on your favorite piece of exercise equipment for a FREE one year subscription to Self magazine.Click here for Self Magazine
Receive a FREE Subscription to Woman's Day Magazine
Woman's Day provides women the latest health news, recipes, workout videos, and tips on everything for your family from home decoration to managing your checkbook. Complete a hair removal product review to get a FREE subscription to Woman's Day magazine! After submitting your review complete your details and submit. Look for your FREE issues to arrive soon.Click here for Woman's Day
The New Yorker Limited Edition Inaguration Issue - FREE
Just complete and submit this page to receive your complimentary inauguration cover. Quantities are strictly limited. Offer valid until January 31, 2009, and through this registration page only.Click here for The New Yorker
Request a FREE Sample of Tide Total Care
New Tide Total Care helps you maintain the beautiful look of clothes, so your family always looks great. And that speaks volumes. Enter your information to get a FREE sample of Tide Total Care. Please allow 6-8 weeks.Click here for Tide Total Care
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Its not what you save, its what you spend. Lessons learned
I was thinking about the days when I was coupon crazy. I would sit for an hour shuffling through my coupons, looking through my ad's and planning my day to use them. It got me thinking about how much I really saved. And I came to the conclusion that I wasnt saving anything. Unless the item was free, it wasnt worth it.
First I had to gather coupons. From newspapers which I had to pay $1.50 for. Or scour the internet looking for them. Using up all my ink to print them out. Is it worth is? No, in my openion it isnt. Im paying $1.50 for my coupons? And wasting my ink that im gonna have to replace eventually because of it. My ink cost over $60 to replace. SO not worth it. So I stopped. I will only use ones sent to my home. And only for the brands I know I buy.
I would look at my reciepts and be excited because I would save a bundle. But I would spend alot. It confused me. Yes I saved $56 on my bill but still spend $30. My grocery budget was super tight the week before my husband would get paid. So I started thinking about it. If I bought things we needed on sale, I spend less overall. Yes, I would rather spend $5 than save $56. It saves me more. So dont be confused by the companies or end of reciepts that say you saved 55% off your bill. You still spend too much $. So I needed to change my way of thinking.
Most coupons are for non healthy items. Chips, crackers, premade food. We were not eating as healthy when I went coupon crazy. I just was thinking how much I was spending on things that werent healthy and how my money wasnt going very far. So I changed my spending habbits.
This is how.
Coupons-I went through my pantry and found all the brands I loved. Bobs Red Mill, Annies, Amy's, etc. I checked their websites out and requested any coupons they had. If they didnt have any, I cantaced them, told them how much I loved their products, and asked if they had any coupons and if they did could they send me some. Ended it with how appreciated I would be with or without them. 99% of the time I recieved coupons. Did you know that the ones they send you have expiration dates of over a year away? Yep. They need to have a longer one because they get request from so many people, they would expire before they could send them all out. Then I wait for the items to go on sale, and use my coupon. SUPER discount!
Produce I started buying only what was in season or marked down. I didnt go to the store looking for a particular item. Just needed a fruit or vegie. If apples were on sale or in season, I bought apples. If brocoli was on sale or in season, I bought brocoli. I worked my menu around those items. If they were marked down and I couldnt pass up the deal, I would take home and freeze for later use.
Staples-I call these fillers. Food that will fill you for a long time. Things like noodles, rice or what not. I used to buy boxed items. 1 lb box of rice, or noodles. Then I discovered bulk items. No packaging means better prices. I could spend 59 cents per lb for white rice, eat it and be hungry within 2 hours. Or I could spend 69 cents per lb for brown rice, eat it and not be hungry for 4 hours. Which would I choose? The brown rice. Healthier and keeps you full longer. So instead of buying preboxed 1 lb for $1.50 each, I buy bulk brown rice for 69 cents per lb. Make sense? Noodles the same way. We buy whole wheat noodles for just 10 cents more per pound, and save by buying bulk, and our tummies are fuller for longer. No more "Can I have a snack?" only 30 minutes after dinner. Saving me money.
Meat-Again this one is debatable. Most people dont want to buy meat on the bone. This is how I think when buying meat. Why am I spending $2 more a lb for meat just because it doesnt have bones? So instead of paying $3 or more per lb per meal, im only paying $1 per lb. Example:Chicken breast off the bone is $3.99 per lb in most places. Yes its easier to use, and quick to cook. But it cost twice the amount each meal. Making each meal about $8 for my family of 6. Instead of that I pay about $3-4 per meal doing it my way. I buy instead checken thighs for 99 cents per lb. 2 legs each meal. $1 per meal for meat. We eat dinner from 5-5:30 so I take my chicken, put it in a glass baking pan, cover it and cook for 1 hr. Then while its cooking I prep and cook the rest of my meal. Not only doesn this save me money, it is much more tender, and yummier. Plus an added bonus, I can use the bones to make my own broth. Boil the bones in water for 20 minutes, drain, and put in ziplock bags for later use. Not only is this free, its healthier. No sodium. I use this broth to cook our rice in adding much more deeper flavoring.
So yes, you can save $2 on a sale meat paying $5 or spend $3 on this other meat. I would much rather spend $3.
Same goes for everything else in your home.
Example: I have been wanting a wool walking jacket for months. Could of spend $100 for one easily at Gap, or Old Navy. Yes, I saved $50 because they were on sale. But if I waited long enough I would find something for less. So I waited. And waited. 4 months later, I fould the perfect jacket on http://www.overstock.com/ that was only $39.99. Free shipping and I had a 7% off coupon from my entertainment book. So I paid around $35 for my jacket. So pay $100? Or pay $35?
Second hand clothing is a huge savings as well. My daughter needed shoe's so I looked for some on sale. Sketchers were on sale for $5 your $20 or more purchse. Making them $15 per pair. I have twins so this means $30 for shoe's. I found a pair of the almost identical pair of shoe's for only $2 at a thrift store. $2 or $15? You bet im gonna pay $2.
So I retrained my way of thinking. Before I buy anything, I think these questions.
Do I really need it?
Whats the total cost not the discount?
Can I find it 2nd hand?
What other way can I find this?
You can always come back!
You have more than 1 son or daughter, save old clothes from your oldest for the youngest. FREE! You have neighbors with other children? Ask them if you can have their outgrown clothing. FREE! Give them yours if you have any they will need. Tell your friends or family that your looking for something in particular. They can in return let you know if they see it 2nd hand or on sale. Or even better if they have it and dont want it. FREE! Ask for something you really need but cant find it cheap enough for birthday gifts or holidays. FREE to you!
Last but not least, think about it.
Would you want to save 50% on something and pay alot or spend only $5 for the same thing but only $5? I would much rather pay only $5. Get the idea? Rethink your spending habbits.
Before I spend $600 a month for groceries for a family of 6.
Then I rethought and came up with this plan. You know how much I spend this month on food?
$400.
Did we suffer in any way? No. Did I buy less food? No. Did my family even notice? No. Did I save any money? YES! $200 bucks to be exact!
First I had to gather coupons. From newspapers which I had to pay $1.50 for. Or scour the internet looking for them. Using up all my ink to print them out. Is it worth is? No, in my openion it isnt. Im paying $1.50 for my coupons? And wasting my ink that im gonna have to replace eventually because of it. My ink cost over $60 to replace. SO not worth it. So I stopped. I will only use ones sent to my home. And only for the brands I know I buy.
I would look at my reciepts and be excited because I would save a bundle. But I would spend alot. It confused me. Yes I saved $56 on my bill but still spend $30. My grocery budget was super tight the week before my husband would get paid. So I started thinking about it. If I bought things we needed on sale, I spend less overall. Yes, I would rather spend $5 than save $56. It saves me more. So dont be confused by the companies or end of reciepts that say you saved 55% off your bill. You still spend too much $. So I needed to change my way of thinking.
Most coupons are for non healthy items. Chips, crackers, premade food. We were not eating as healthy when I went coupon crazy. I just was thinking how much I was spending on things that werent healthy and how my money wasnt going very far. So I changed my spending habbits.
This is how.
Coupons-I went through my pantry and found all the brands I loved. Bobs Red Mill, Annies, Amy's, etc. I checked their websites out and requested any coupons they had. If they didnt have any, I cantaced them, told them how much I loved their products, and asked if they had any coupons and if they did could they send me some. Ended it with how appreciated I would be with or without them. 99% of the time I recieved coupons. Did you know that the ones they send you have expiration dates of over a year away? Yep. They need to have a longer one because they get request from so many people, they would expire before they could send them all out. Then I wait for the items to go on sale, and use my coupon. SUPER discount!
Produce I started buying only what was in season or marked down. I didnt go to the store looking for a particular item. Just needed a fruit or vegie. If apples were on sale or in season, I bought apples. If brocoli was on sale or in season, I bought brocoli. I worked my menu around those items. If they were marked down and I couldnt pass up the deal, I would take home and freeze for later use.
Staples-I call these fillers. Food that will fill you for a long time. Things like noodles, rice or what not. I used to buy boxed items. 1 lb box of rice, or noodles. Then I discovered bulk items. No packaging means better prices. I could spend 59 cents per lb for white rice, eat it and be hungry within 2 hours. Or I could spend 69 cents per lb for brown rice, eat it and not be hungry for 4 hours. Which would I choose? The brown rice. Healthier and keeps you full longer. So instead of buying preboxed 1 lb for $1.50 each, I buy bulk brown rice for 69 cents per lb. Make sense? Noodles the same way. We buy whole wheat noodles for just 10 cents more per pound, and save by buying bulk, and our tummies are fuller for longer. No more "Can I have a snack?" only 30 minutes after dinner. Saving me money.
Meat-Again this one is debatable. Most people dont want to buy meat on the bone. This is how I think when buying meat. Why am I spending $2 more a lb for meat just because it doesnt have bones? So instead of paying $3 or more per lb per meal, im only paying $1 per lb. Example:Chicken breast off the bone is $3.99 per lb in most places. Yes its easier to use, and quick to cook. But it cost twice the amount each meal. Making each meal about $8 for my family of 6. Instead of that I pay about $3-4 per meal doing it my way. I buy instead checken thighs for 99 cents per lb. 2 legs each meal. $1 per meal for meat. We eat dinner from 5-5:30 so I take my chicken, put it in a glass baking pan, cover it and cook for 1 hr. Then while its cooking I prep and cook the rest of my meal. Not only doesn this save me money, it is much more tender, and yummier. Plus an added bonus, I can use the bones to make my own broth. Boil the bones in water for 20 minutes, drain, and put in ziplock bags for later use. Not only is this free, its healthier. No sodium. I use this broth to cook our rice in adding much more deeper flavoring.
So yes, you can save $2 on a sale meat paying $5 or spend $3 on this other meat. I would much rather spend $3.
Same goes for everything else in your home.
Example: I have been wanting a wool walking jacket for months. Could of spend $100 for one easily at Gap, or Old Navy. Yes, I saved $50 because they were on sale. But if I waited long enough I would find something for less. So I waited. And waited. 4 months later, I fould the perfect jacket on http://www.overstock.com/ that was only $39.99. Free shipping and I had a 7% off coupon from my entertainment book. So I paid around $35 for my jacket. So pay $100? Or pay $35?
Second hand clothing is a huge savings as well. My daughter needed shoe's so I looked for some on sale. Sketchers were on sale for $5 your $20 or more purchse. Making them $15 per pair. I have twins so this means $30 for shoe's. I found a pair of the almost identical pair of shoe's for only $2 at a thrift store. $2 or $15? You bet im gonna pay $2.
So I retrained my way of thinking. Before I buy anything, I think these questions.
Do I really need it?
Whats the total cost not the discount?
Can I find it 2nd hand?
What other way can I find this?
You can always come back!
You have more than 1 son or daughter, save old clothes from your oldest for the youngest. FREE! You have neighbors with other children? Ask them if you can have their outgrown clothing. FREE! Give them yours if you have any they will need. Tell your friends or family that your looking for something in particular. They can in return let you know if they see it 2nd hand or on sale. Or even better if they have it and dont want it. FREE! Ask for something you really need but cant find it cheap enough for birthday gifts or holidays. FREE to you!
Last but not least, think about it.
Would you want to save 50% on something and pay alot or spend only $5 for the same thing but only $5? I would much rather pay only $5. Get the idea? Rethink your spending habbits.
Before I spend $600 a month for groceries for a family of 6.
Then I rethought and came up with this plan. You know how much I spend this month on food?
$400.
Did we suffer in any way? No. Did I buy less food? No. Did my family even notice? No. Did I save any money? YES! $200 bucks to be exact!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Freebies
Obtain Your Choice of 2 FREE Sunsilk Samples
Need a little Hairapy? Laugh away your hair and life problems with Sunsilk. Complete your information of the form provided and choose between Sunsilk Hydra TLC or Straight to Perfection shampoo and conditioner samples.Click here for Sunsilk
Need a little Hairapy? Laugh away your hair and life problems with Sunsilk. Complete your information of the form provided and choose between Sunsilk Hydra TLC or Straight to Perfection shampoo and conditioner samples.Click here for Sunsilk
Click here for a Soy Joy Bar from Walmart
Friday, January 9, 2009
Gardening on a budget
Just thought I would pass along some of my tips on anything to do with a garden. Over the years ive accumulated alot of stuff in many ways that have saved me a bundle.
Garden Bench-not something you "need" but nice to have. My husband was going to build me one. He went to the store and gathered everything and it came up to over $75 for it all. I found one for only $40 at BI Mart. Just needed to be put together and painted. So you can find them for pretty cheap. You can store pots, and shovels easily on one. It doesnt make you a better gardener, ive learned that. LOL!
Pots-I have alot of various sized pots that ive accumulated over the years. Some free from friends, some from free box's at garage sales, and some bought new. Large terra cotta pots were bought from Michaels with their 40% off coupon. Each one only cost me $3. They are about a foot tall. I gather them anytime of the year.
Shovels and gadgets-Again some were free, from friends, or found at thrift stores. But some were bought new. After the season of gardening is gone, most stores discount them for super cheap. There isnt alot of people running out to get these kinds of things so I almost always find what I need for super cheap. They are everywhere. Walmart, Rite Aid, Ace Hardware, and Target. Rite Aid has deep discounts for theirs. If its cheap enough, get it. Yes, you dont need it at that moment but get it then so you dont pay more when you actually need it.
Seeds and plants-Again after season sale. You can get seeds for as low as 10 cents. I just save them for spring. Bulbs can be bought for pretty cheap as well. Just plan where you want to plant them, plant them now, and reep the rewards next year when they pop up. During the summer I buy potted plants when I find them marked down. I did the whole front of my house for only $7. We just bought 6pks for 50 cents, planted them, dead headed them, and they bloomed for a couple of months. And for a fraction of the price. They just needed tlc. Seeds can also be bought off the internet or from catalogs for pretty cheap.
Soil,compost,etc-My #1 reccomended tip is to start a compost. Not only will this save you money from buying it, it will save you money on your garbage bill. We started on with a garbage can w/lid for $5. Look for one in a dark color, speeds up the process. Just drilled holes all over it. You can throw anything in but meat and dairy. Some would argue this but I choose not to have animals trying to get to my compost (make sure to get one with a secure lid) . We had a medium size garbage can we paid for each month and were able to get a small one because we cut down on our trash. Saved us $10 a month. You can throw in weeds, plant and grass clippings, food waste, animal poo, etc. Just remember to roll your can every week or so to mix it. Takes a long time to fill, but seems like it would fill fast. Mine fills about 2 times a year. Wonderful nutrient filled compost for free!
TIP-Starbucks puts their old grounds into bags and gives them away. Just give your local Starbucks a call to ask when they have some and you can just pick it up for free! Wonderful to sprinkle around your plants.
Garden beds etc-My husband builds me a raised garden bed whever ever we live. Usually built from extra wood scraps from other projects. My old house we build some from the left over wood from a play structure we built. This house we build one from left over wood from our fence. Pretty cedar shakes and all. Depending on your soil, you can just add some compost or leaves to fill it. My soil in the town im moving from is just rocks and clay soil so I have to invest in getting potting soil. My new home the garden beds are already built so bonus for me. Just use old tires if you dont have the money. My parents lay an old tire down, fill it with dirt and compost. This works well for them plus less weeds. Not the most pretty thing I might note but works well. Plus usually free. Almost everyone has old tires laying around.
Also make sure to put a garden bed in the sunniest area of your yard. Things will go super slow or not at all. The seeds can even rot if they get too much water and not enough sun. And if you have pets, invest in some screen of sorts or your pet will eat all your hard work. My dog did this at our old house and I just wanted to cry. Didnt get a single tomato that year. UURR. They will do just about anything to get to your produce. Make sure its safe and secure.
Mason Jars-Super cheap at garage sales. Second hand ones range from 10-50 cents. New ones are $6-8 for 6-12 depending on the size. Lids and seals can be bought seperate for $1-2. Just make sure you wash them carefully and look for cracks and chips.
Canning pot-I paid $14.99 at Walmart for a large old fashion blue canning pot. Old way of canning but frugal. If you find one at a garage sale, snatch it up! You can spend over 50 for a pressure cooker but I wouldnt. Big investment. Maybe ask for one on your birthday, Mothers Day, or even for Christmas.
Jar grabbers-cant remember the technical word for it. The tool that takes jars from the boiling water in the pot. Those can be $5 and up. I found mine at a thrift store for 50 cents each. They are everywhere. You just have to know what they are. I dont think the store knew what they were. Worth the money! I didnt have one last summer and used tongs. Not reccomended.
Hats, shoe's and gloves-Again wait for super sales on these. My hat (reccomended for those hot days) was bought for me on Mothers Day from my children. Make sure you get one that have chin straps or fits snug. Every time you bend over, this will be an issue. Shoe's were bought at Goodwill for super cheap. Gloves are also found super cheap from stores. I have tiny hands so it took me a while to find a pair I liked. Worth the money to get these. I had to dig up and turn soil in my last home and it took me hours of hard labor. Gloves saved me from blisters.
Pesty bugs and disease's-Use a soap/water mixture to spray on the plant. Keeps bugs off. Make sure the soap is a vegetable based one to be safe. For disease use a baking soda water mixture. They dont like it. Apply weekly. You can even use a pepper mixture. In a blender use the hottest pepper you can find with water. Blend for a minute or two. Strain through cheese cloth and put in a spray bottle. Again spray once a week. Just make sure not to get on your skin. You will suffer! Dont ask how I know this. LOL! This is a great alternative to all those ones you can buy. Most are not safe or organic. Rock salt works great for slugs. The biggest rock salt you can find. Slugs dont like it at all. Good alternative to the one you buy at the store. Its a powder and is hard to keep where you want it. Plus cant be good for the plants that will be growing around it.
Already grown pruduce-at the end of season they sell produce for super cheap at markets or farms. I bought a huge box of green beans for $16. I think it was about 15 lbs. I canned them during the summer. I think I made about 24 jars of beans with that. Still eating them now. Worth every penny. I even recieved a box for free. They were going bad so a gentleman gave them to me for free. I took them home, pulled out the bad ones, and froze them. Layed them on cookie sheets froze them, pulled them out and put them into ziplock bags. They were super yummy! and FREE!!!! Get produce at super discounts and freeze them. Any peppers can be done the same way. Chip into slices and freeze. Onions, berries, and even banana's can be done this way. Banana's you just depeel, freeze into small pieces on a cookie sheet and freeze. Can be used all year round for muffins, breads and anything you can imagine. And if you buy older banana's , you can get them for as low as 29 cents per lb. Super frugal tip!
If you dont like something or can use it quick enough, give it to a friend or neighbor. Later they will do the same. Kinda like the old saying "Pat my back and I will pat yours". Saves you both money. I almost always bake stuff, or have left overs and give them to my friends. And they do the same. I get many things like produce, soups, and baked items free this way. Feels good to help others and be helped out too.
Garden Bench-not something you "need" but nice to have. My husband was going to build me one. He went to the store and gathered everything and it came up to over $75 for it all. I found one for only $40 at BI Mart. Just needed to be put together and painted. So you can find them for pretty cheap. You can store pots, and shovels easily on one. It doesnt make you a better gardener, ive learned that. LOL!
Pots-I have alot of various sized pots that ive accumulated over the years. Some free from friends, some from free box's at garage sales, and some bought new. Large terra cotta pots were bought from Michaels with their 40% off coupon. Each one only cost me $3. They are about a foot tall. I gather them anytime of the year.
Shovels and gadgets-Again some were free, from friends, or found at thrift stores. But some were bought new. After the season of gardening is gone, most stores discount them for super cheap. There isnt alot of people running out to get these kinds of things so I almost always find what I need for super cheap. They are everywhere. Walmart, Rite Aid, Ace Hardware, and Target. Rite Aid has deep discounts for theirs. If its cheap enough, get it. Yes, you dont need it at that moment but get it then so you dont pay more when you actually need it.
Seeds and plants-Again after season sale. You can get seeds for as low as 10 cents. I just save them for spring. Bulbs can be bought for pretty cheap as well. Just plan where you want to plant them, plant them now, and reep the rewards next year when they pop up. During the summer I buy potted plants when I find them marked down. I did the whole front of my house for only $7. We just bought 6pks for 50 cents, planted them, dead headed them, and they bloomed for a couple of months. And for a fraction of the price. They just needed tlc. Seeds can also be bought off the internet or from catalogs for pretty cheap.
Soil,compost,etc-My #1 reccomended tip is to start a compost. Not only will this save you money from buying it, it will save you money on your garbage bill. We started on with a garbage can w/lid for $5. Look for one in a dark color, speeds up the process. Just drilled holes all over it. You can throw anything in but meat and dairy. Some would argue this but I choose not to have animals trying to get to my compost (make sure to get one with a secure lid) . We had a medium size garbage can we paid for each month and were able to get a small one because we cut down on our trash. Saved us $10 a month. You can throw in weeds, plant and grass clippings, food waste, animal poo, etc. Just remember to roll your can every week or so to mix it. Takes a long time to fill, but seems like it would fill fast. Mine fills about 2 times a year. Wonderful nutrient filled compost for free!
TIP-Starbucks puts their old grounds into bags and gives them away. Just give your local Starbucks a call to ask when they have some and you can just pick it up for free! Wonderful to sprinkle around your plants.
Garden beds etc-My husband builds me a raised garden bed whever ever we live. Usually built from extra wood scraps from other projects. My old house we build some from the left over wood from a play structure we built. This house we build one from left over wood from our fence. Pretty cedar shakes and all. Depending on your soil, you can just add some compost or leaves to fill it. My soil in the town im moving from is just rocks and clay soil so I have to invest in getting potting soil. My new home the garden beds are already built so bonus for me. Just use old tires if you dont have the money. My parents lay an old tire down, fill it with dirt and compost. This works well for them plus less weeds. Not the most pretty thing I might note but works well. Plus usually free. Almost everyone has old tires laying around.
Also make sure to put a garden bed in the sunniest area of your yard. Things will go super slow or not at all. The seeds can even rot if they get too much water and not enough sun. And if you have pets, invest in some screen of sorts or your pet will eat all your hard work. My dog did this at our old house and I just wanted to cry. Didnt get a single tomato that year. UURR. They will do just about anything to get to your produce. Make sure its safe and secure.
Mason Jars-Super cheap at garage sales. Second hand ones range from 10-50 cents. New ones are $6-8 for 6-12 depending on the size. Lids and seals can be bought seperate for $1-2. Just make sure you wash them carefully and look for cracks and chips.
Canning pot-I paid $14.99 at Walmart for a large old fashion blue canning pot. Old way of canning but frugal. If you find one at a garage sale, snatch it up! You can spend over 50 for a pressure cooker but I wouldnt. Big investment. Maybe ask for one on your birthday, Mothers Day, or even for Christmas.
Jar grabbers-cant remember the technical word for it. The tool that takes jars from the boiling water in the pot. Those can be $5 and up. I found mine at a thrift store for 50 cents each. They are everywhere. You just have to know what they are. I dont think the store knew what they were. Worth the money! I didnt have one last summer and used tongs. Not reccomended.
Hats, shoe's and gloves-Again wait for super sales on these. My hat (reccomended for those hot days) was bought for me on Mothers Day from my children. Make sure you get one that have chin straps or fits snug. Every time you bend over, this will be an issue. Shoe's were bought at Goodwill for super cheap. Gloves are also found super cheap from stores. I have tiny hands so it took me a while to find a pair I liked. Worth the money to get these. I had to dig up and turn soil in my last home and it took me hours of hard labor. Gloves saved me from blisters.
Pesty bugs and disease's-Use a soap/water mixture to spray on the plant. Keeps bugs off. Make sure the soap is a vegetable based one to be safe. For disease use a baking soda water mixture. They dont like it. Apply weekly. You can even use a pepper mixture. In a blender use the hottest pepper you can find with water. Blend for a minute or two. Strain through cheese cloth and put in a spray bottle. Again spray once a week. Just make sure not to get on your skin. You will suffer! Dont ask how I know this. LOL! This is a great alternative to all those ones you can buy. Most are not safe or organic. Rock salt works great for slugs. The biggest rock salt you can find. Slugs dont like it at all. Good alternative to the one you buy at the store. Its a powder and is hard to keep where you want it. Plus cant be good for the plants that will be growing around it.
Already grown pruduce-at the end of season they sell produce for super cheap at markets or farms. I bought a huge box of green beans for $16. I think it was about 15 lbs. I canned them during the summer. I think I made about 24 jars of beans with that. Still eating them now. Worth every penny. I even recieved a box for free. They were going bad so a gentleman gave them to me for free. I took them home, pulled out the bad ones, and froze them. Layed them on cookie sheets froze them, pulled them out and put them into ziplock bags. They were super yummy! and FREE!!!! Get produce at super discounts and freeze them. Any peppers can be done the same way. Chip into slices and freeze. Onions, berries, and even banana's can be done this way. Banana's you just depeel, freeze into small pieces on a cookie sheet and freeze. Can be used all year round for muffins, breads and anything you can imagine. And if you buy older banana's , you can get them for as low as 29 cents per lb. Super frugal tip!
If you dont like something or can use it quick enough, give it to a friend or neighbor. Later they will do the same. Kinda like the old saying "Pat my back and I will pat yours". Saves you both money. I almost always bake stuff, or have left overs and give them to my friends. And they do the same. I get many things like produce, soups, and baked items free this way. Feels good to help others and be helped out too.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Freebies
Click here for a Cream of wheat sample
Click here for a woot decal sticker that says "wine woot!"
Free Simple Harvest Granola Bar
Free Quaker Rice Cakes Sample
You dont have to give your email. I tried this for each person in our house and it let me. We will see how many show up. There were no restrictions that I could see.
Proctor and Gamble Coupon Book worth $27
You can get this booklet a few times through the year. In each one, there is a coupon for a free rinse aid for your dishwasher. Over $3 value. I dont usually use the other coupons (usually for cleaning products) due to my children having skin allergies and what not. But worth the 5 minutes to request one just for the rinse aid.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Growing your own groceries the frugal way
Ive dabbled in this for many years now on my own. My mind is flooded with memories of taking a drive to my grandmothers house during the growing season. My grandmother had a large old house (little spooky too) with a huge garden. She grew just about everything you could think of. Mom and my favorite Aunt Robin would be helping with weeding, watering, harvesting, and storing all our yummy produce. From our very own tomato sauce, zucini relish, green beans, and many more things. My favorite thing about going to Grandma Mary's house was on the dinner table, there was always a clear vintage drinking glass filled with water and small green onions for everyone to munch on. Yep, onions. I never ate them but I sucked on them for the flavor.
So here are a few tips I have found that you might find usefull.
Keep overhead low. No need to invest in fancy garden gadgets. Make your own plant supports out of twine and tree branches. Use newspaper, grass clippings, or straw for mulch. There's no better fartilizer than compost-and its free!
Avoid spraying as much as you can.Tolerate a few holes in your leaves instead of pulling out the pesticides. You'll avoid ingesting chemicals and spend less at the garden center. Hand pick pest and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.
Invest for future savings.Some food will take a while to give you a return. Most fruit tree's dont produce for 3-5 yrs. Combine these with long term investments with other foods like lettuce and radishes, that produce in just a few weeks.
Consider time. I would focus on low maintenance foods such as lettuces, peppers, asparagus, squash and fruit tree's. Some produce takes more time than others.
Save food for later. Instead of buying expensive jar sun-dried tomatoes, dry your tomatoes in your own oven and freeze them in small bags. Love pesto? Make your own and store in small bags . Also consider refrigerator pickles, apple butter, and no-cook or no-seal jams. Much cheaper. You can find jars at thrift stores all the time, just get new seals and rings. Make sure you check for cracks or chips. Alot of older seniors have garage sales and 100% of the time they have these.
Grow vegetables that store well. Some produce, such as squash, is easy to store at room temp . Just pick them and keep them in a cook, dry place, like a pantry or in a bin in a cupboard. Apples and pears will keep a long time in the fridge.
Assess your space. Unless you have a very large garden, plants that take lots of space, such as sweet corn and pumpkin, will be hard to accommodate. Instead grow produce like sweet peppers and tomatoes.
Consider a deep freeze. Yes, these are expensive, but sometimes you can find them secondhand. It will allow you to not only freeze vast amounts of produce, but also store meat, bread and other items you purchased on sale for even bigger sales.
Plant these to save the most money
Tomatoes
Raspberries
Lettus
Fresh Herbs
Bell Peppers
Strawberries
Asparagus
Tree Fruits
Tips for saving even more money
Buy after the season sales. Seeds you can get for as low as 10 cents. Stores just want to rid their stuff from their stores. Need that garden hat but dont want to spend the money? Target and Walmart have huge sales after the season is over. Get a $20 hat for as low as $5. Worth every penny when your out in the garden when its 100 degree's out. Garden clogs? Most handy item's ever. Get them as low as $5. Plan ahead. Want a garden next year, start planning, and gathering your items after the season when they are on sale. Hit up your second hand stores. I find most my canning tools this way. Super cheap. Have a friend giving stuff away, ask if they have any gardening items. Most always you find them at thrift stores. Why spend over $50 for a pressure cookier for canning? I bought a large canning pot for $15 at Walmart that worked just fine. Even better if you find it second hand. Think around what you need and plan ahead.
In my new home were movng into, the last owner had about 12 garden beds nice and seasoned. So these will be mine this growing season. So excited! When we went to look at the house, there will still tomatoes and squash growing in them. My heart just about jumped out of my skin. I said " I want this home". I knew this house was meant for us. Old house made very well, play structure for my kids, storage unit and garage for the hubby, very well built 1967 home never touched original everything, and on a cultasack. It was meant for us. This home is in a highly saught after neighborhood that homes go for over $300-$400,000. We snuck in ours for only $297,000. Only thing new in this home was the carpet. Eye sore for most, opportunity for us. Plus we just like retro old stuff. 4 weeks till we move. I cant wait.
So here are a few tips I have found that you might find usefull.
Keep overhead low. No need to invest in fancy garden gadgets. Make your own plant supports out of twine and tree branches. Use newspaper, grass clippings, or straw for mulch. There's no better fartilizer than compost-and its free!
Avoid spraying as much as you can.Tolerate a few holes in your leaves instead of pulling out the pesticides. You'll avoid ingesting chemicals and spend less at the garden center. Hand pick pest and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.
Invest for future savings.Some food will take a while to give you a return. Most fruit tree's dont produce for 3-5 yrs. Combine these with long term investments with other foods like lettuce and radishes, that produce in just a few weeks.
Consider time. I would focus on low maintenance foods such as lettuces, peppers, asparagus, squash and fruit tree's. Some produce takes more time than others.
Save food for later. Instead of buying expensive jar sun-dried tomatoes, dry your tomatoes in your own oven and freeze them in small bags. Love pesto? Make your own and store in small bags . Also consider refrigerator pickles, apple butter, and no-cook or no-seal jams. Much cheaper. You can find jars at thrift stores all the time, just get new seals and rings. Make sure you check for cracks or chips. Alot of older seniors have garage sales and 100% of the time they have these.
Grow vegetables that store well. Some produce, such as squash, is easy to store at room temp . Just pick them and keep them in a cook, dry place, like a pantry or in a bin in a cupboard. Apples and pears will keep a long time in the fridge.
Assess your space. Unless you have a very large garden, plants that take lots of space, such as sweet corn and pumpkin, will be hard to accommodate. Instead grow produce like sweet peppers and tomatoes.
Consider a deep freeze. Yes, these are expensive, but sometimes you can find them secondhand. It will allow you to not only freeze vast amounts of produce, but also store meat, bread and other items you purchased on sale for even bigger sales.
Plant these to save the most money
Tomatoes
Raspberries
Lettus
Fresh Herbs
Bell Peppers
Strawberries
Asparagus
Tree Fruits
Tips for saving even more money
Buy after the season sales. Seeds you can get for as low as 10 cents. Stores just want to rid their stuff from their stores. Need that garden hat but dont want to spend the money? Target and Walmart have huge sales after the season is over. Get a $20 hat for as low as $5. Worth every penny when your out in the garden when its 100 degree's out. Garden clogs? Most handy item's ever. Get them as low as $5. Plan ahead. Want a garden next year, start planning, and gathering your items after the season when they are on sale. Hit up your second hand stores. I find most my canning tools this way. Super cheap. Have a friend giving stuff away, ask if they have any gardening items. Most always you find them at thrift stores. Why spend over $50 for a pressure cookier for canning? I bought a large canning pot for $15 at Walmart that worked just fine. Even better if you find it second hand. Think around what you need and plan ahead.
In my new home were movng into, the last owner had about 12 garden beds nice and seasoned. So these will be mine this growing season. So excited! When we went to look at the house, there will still tomatoes and squash growing in them. My heart just about jumped out of my skin. I said " I want this home". I knew this house was meant for us. Old house made very well, play structure for my kids, storage unit and garage for the hubby, very well built 1967 home never touched original everything, and on a cultasack. It was meant for us. This home is in a highly saught after neighborhood that homes go for over $300-$400,000. We snuck in ours for only $297,000. Only thing new in this home was the carpet. Eye sore for most, opportunity for us. Plus we just like retro old stuff. 4 weeks till we move. I cant wait.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Fr eebies
1st 5,000 Get a FREE Ziploc Back to Basics Gift Pack
The first 5,000 people to respond will receive a FREE variety pack of three Ziploc® Brand Big Bags—perfect for organizing and storing post-holiday clutter, clothing, toys and more! Gift packs will be mailed by March 15, 2009. Click here for Ziploc Back to Basics
The first 5,000 people to respond will receive a FREE variety pack of three Ziploc® Brand Big Bags—perfect for organizing and storing post-holiday clutter, clothing, toys and more! Gift packs will be mailed by March 15, 2009. Click here for Ziploc Back to Basics
Total Cranberry Crunch Cereal - FREE Sample
One serving of Total Cranberry Crunch cereal contains 100% of your daily recommended intake for 11 vitamins and minerals, including Calcium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Zinc. Complete the form provided to receive a FREE sample of Total Cranberry Crunch. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for delivery.Click here for Total Cranberry Crunch
One per email
One serving of Total Cranberry Crunch cereal contains 100% of your daily recommended intake for 11 vitamins and minerals, including Calcium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Zinc. Complete the form provided to receive a FREE sample of Total Cranberry Crunch. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for delivery.Click here for Total Cranberry Crunch
One per email
FREE Barbara’s Bakery Organic Cereal Sample
Barbara's organic and natural cereals come in many shapes, textures, and flavors but all are made to meet to our commitment to 'Great Taste Without Compromise.' They source the highest quality ingredients to fuel you through your day the delicious, nutritious way. To receive your FREE sample, complete all of the fields in the form.Click here for Barbara’s Bakery Organic Cereals
Barbara's organic and natural cereals come in many shapes, textures, and flavors but all are made to meet to our commitment to 'Great Taste Without Compromise.' They source the highest quality ingredients to fuel you through your day the delicious, nutritious way. To receive your FREE sample, complete all of the fields in the form.Click here for Barbara’s Bakery Organic Cereals
One per email
Your Choice of 2 FREE Quaker Mini Delights Samples
Quaker Mini Delights are a rice and multigrain snack that's satisfyingly delicious! Quaker Mini Delights are made with wholesome brown rice, wheat, and corn then topped with a delicious treat. Complete the form provided to get a FREE sample of Quaker Mini Delights.Click here for Quaker Mini Delights
Quaker Mini Delights are a rice and multigrain snack that's satisfyingly delicious! Quaker Mini Delights are made with wholesome brown rice, wheat, and corn then topped with a delicious treat. Complete the form provided to get a FREE sample of Quaker Mini Delights.Click here for Quaker Mini Delights
Ensure:get a free shake and a coupon off a 6 pk
one per email
Signature Scent Bath & Body Products you choose up to 2 differant scents
one per email
Stetson Cologne: put in wallet or glove compartment for emergencies. Last minute work dinner? Perfect! One per email.
Free pampers Points
Code=HAPPYHOLIDAY089
10 Reasons to air dry your clothes
"We must all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately."
-Benjamin Franklin
I just recently found a great site called http://www.frugalyankee.com/ . Check this site out when you get the chance. Truly inspiring.
Anyways I found this project on their site and thought I would pass it on. Ive been doing this basically every summer/dry season since I was little and try to do it all season long. Not only does this save you money, but your items smell so nice.
10. Save money. A average family can save an average of $25 or more each month off their electric bill.
9. Conserve energy and the environment , while reducing climate change.
8. Clothes and linens smell better without adding possibly toxic chemicals to your body and the enviroment.
7. Clothes last longer. Where do you think lit comes from?
6. Its moderate physical activity that you can do inside or outside.
5. Sunlight bleaches and disinfects.
4. Indoor racks can humidify in dry winter months.
3.Clothes dryer fires account for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths,and 400 injuries annually . The yearly national fire loss for clothes dryer fires in structures is estimated at $99 million.
2. Can be a outdoor expierence that is meditative and community-building.
1. Demonstrates that small steps can make a differance, Dont have to wait for the government to take action.
Big thanks to frugalyankee!Seriously, look at their site!
We payed how much?
So my husband and I discussed ways of saving money the other night. Knowing that when we move, we would be paying two house payments and needed to cut back at least until our house sold. There was plenty to cut back on. First was our dish network. $50 a month just to have extra channels that we ended up only watching a few. Channel 112 hgtv, and channel 12 local news was pretty much the only thing we watched. Was it worth it? I guess the answer was yes until we looked at it more closely. Well, its now gone. Turned off and goodbye. I do miss the pausing live tv button. With kids, its needed and nice. So rabbit ears it is. I will miss our dish network but I dont need it. Every month we had issue's with dish network and took forever for them to fix each problem. But the second we told them we didnt want their service, they were bending over backwards wanting us to keep their business. Payments, extended plan, lowering our bill, etc. Crazy. If they would just be that way all the time, they would have more customers.
Makes you wonder.
Now onto the phone. Do we really use it? No. Living in this town, you have to have long distance. Its long distance from this town on for some reason. But the town next to us isnt, just a little too wierd. Anyways, we really dont call anyone anyways. We both have cells and dont talk on the phone much so this was something we had no problem getting rid of. $50 just for that. When we move, and my cell phone plan runs out (in a few short months) we will get basic phone service. $10 a month. This will save us a bundle.
Thinking about it now, I feel pretty stupid paying $100 month just for these two things. Thinking about it made me realize how much time I really did spend watching tv and how little I really did talk on the phone. We could of been saving $100 a month if we had thought of this earlier. I could kick myself. This could of been put in savings and we would have well over $2,000 by now and it would of had interest too. UURRR.
My point, well I try to have one but sometimes it doesnt happen. lol! Look at what you spend every month. Ask yourself, Do I really need it? Is $50 worth having a few extra channels? Do I talk on the phone that much? Where else can I save money?
Makes you wonder.
Now onto the phone. Do we really use it? No. Living in this town, you have to have long distance. Its long distance from this town on for some reason. But the town next to us isnt, just a little too wierd. Anyways, we really dont call anyone anyways. We both have cells and dont talk on the phone much so this was something we had no problem getting rid of. $50 just for that. When we move, and my cell phone plan runs out (in a few short months) we will get basic phone service. $10 a month. This will save us a bundle.
Thinking about it now, I feel pretty stupid paying $100 month just for these two things. Thinking about it made me realize how much time I really did spend watching tv and how little I really did talk on the phone. We could of been saving $100 a month if we had thought of this earlier. I could kick myself. This could of been put in savings and we would have well over $2,000 by now and it would of had interest too. UURRR.
My point, well I try to have one but sometimes it doesnt happen. lol! Look at what you spend every month. Ask yourself, Do I really need it? Is $50 worth having a few extra channels? Do I talk on the phone that much? Where else can I save money?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Reusable Bags Product Review
Reisenthel Market Basket $39.99Winner prestigious Design Plus award
Durable, lightweight aluminum frame
Tough, tear-proof polyester cover
Collapsible, with removable supports on sides
Sturdy bottom with rubber feet
Soft rubber-grip handle
Zip pocket inside
Test. I took this shopping and just loved it. The removable supports I didn't use because I found it easier to take with me because it could collapse and store much easier. Bright and very beautiful! Super sturdy fabric is a big enough reason to buy this. I had so many comments on how pretty this bag is and wanted to know where I bought it. Perfect for browsing and small shopping. My kids just love to carry it for me. This is my all time favorite bag to use.
Reisenthel Cityshopper XL $34.99
Large bag - good alternative for bulky, odd-shaped items
Durable, lightweight, tear-proof polyester
Carry over shoulder - 2 sturdy carrying straps with snap hooks
Large inner zip pocket with mobile phone pocket
Test. This bag again is so beautiful and I had so many comments from it. I use this one to hold all other reusable bags and when I do big shopping. Perfect size for large items. Thought I would have an issue with the handle but its perfect to hang on your shoulder.
Trying to come up with a bag that I like better but I cant. I love them both. I would recommend buying these bags from reusablebags. Not only are they amazing for reusable anything, but they are budget friendly. Think about how many uses you can get from these. Going to grandma's house, bringing gifts over to a relatives house, books, going to the gym, groceries, and just about anything else. I just love reusablebags. This site is amazing. They have had some great sales, and their customer service is top notch. Not only are they helping you find things that are budget friendly, but they are helping to support companies that are earth friendly, give you every detail they can come up with, and their site is super easy to navigate. This site is the best I found that isn't trying to get you to spend money on stupid stuff. Its all about conserving, sustainability, Eco friendly, and is family friendly. From adult stuff, to kids items. They have it all. This is my number one site!
Freebies
FREE Sample of Beef Jerky from Lavern and Larry
NOTE: Click the highlighted word 'Message' in the top paragraph to leave your FREE sample request! Lavern and Larry's FREE beef jerky sample is approximately 0.5 oz. of their "Best Tasting" Premium Beef Steak Jerky. Your free sample will be one of six flavors chosen at random. You must send them a message requesting a FREE sample. Your message must include your name, mailing address, and e-mail address. Limit one sample per address.Click here for Lavern and Larry Beef Jerky
Took a while for the page to load so be patient.
Garnier Nutritioniste Deep Wrinkle Treatment - FREE Sample
Scroll through the coupon pages until you find the FREE sample of Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra Lift Daily Targeted Deep Wrinkle Treatment (it was on page 5 for me). Click 'Select This Coupon' and then click 'Print Now'. A new page will appear for you to fill in your details. Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Daily Targeted Deep Wrinkle Treatment contains a complex of "dermatological nutrients" that targets the surface layers of the skin, visibly plumping and smoothing deep wrinkles from the inside out. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for delivery.Click here for Garnier Nutritioniste
These always come.
Free Gas X Thin Strip here
Perfect for your purse. Might need them for on the road. You never know when you might need one, save yourself problems if you know what I mean. LOL!
Free REDBOX Movie
Use code 37CEA9
This code is good till midnight. You can use the code once per debit card.
Free Hat
http://www.outdoorchannel.com/SatellitePromotion.aspx
Fill out the small questionair and get a free hat.
Free Firefighters Posters
There are 7 different ones to pick from:
https://www.usfa.dhs.gov/application...sr=1&rp =5&sp
This would be a great teaching tool for any family. Little boys will expecially love this one!
Free Wildflowers from Bently Seeds
Contact Us
NOTE: Click the highlighted word 'Message' in the top paragraph to leave your FREE sample request! Lavern and Larry's FREE beef jerky sample is approximately 0.5 oz. of their "Best Tasting" Premium Beef Steak Jerky. Your free sample will be one of six flavors chosen at random. You must send them a message requesting a FREE sample. Your message must include your name, mailing address, and e-mail address. Limit one sample per address.Click here for Lavern and Larry Beef Jerky
Took a while for the page to load so be patient.
Garnier Nutritioniste Deep Wrinkle Treatment - FREE Sample
Scroll through the coupon pages until you find the FREE sample of Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra Lift Daily Targeted Deep Wrinkle Treatment (it was on page 5 for me). Click 'Select This Coupon' and then click 'Print Now'. A new page will appear for you to fill in your details. Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Daily Targeted Deep Wrinkle Treatment contains a complex of "dermatological nutrients" that targets the surface layers of the skin, visibly plumping and smoothing deep wrinkles from the inside out. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for delivery.Click here for Garnier Nutritioniste
These always come.
Free Gas X Thin Strip here
Perfect for your purse. Might need them for on the road. You never know when you might need one, save yourself problems if you know what I mean. LOL!
Free REDBOX Movie
Use code 37CEA9
This code is good till midnight. You can use the code once per debit card.
Free Hat
http://www.outdoorchannel.com/SatellitePromotion.aspx
Fill out the small questionair and get a free hat.
Free Firefighters Posters
There are 7 different ones to pick from:
https://www.usfa.dhs.gov/application...sr=1&rp =5&sp
This would be a great teaching tool for any family. Little boys will expecially love this one!
Free Wildflowers from Bently Seeds
Contact Us
In Transition.....
It will be touch and go for the next month or so. We will be moving in 4 short weeks so im going to be pretty busy with packing, etc. I should be able to still blog but there might be occasions where I just am too busy. So heads up, and wish me luck.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Stay Awhile Post 9 of 9
Stay Awhile
Find hotel specials.Check out http://www.hotels.com/ for good deals before you visit the hotels own site because even better bargains will often be featured on this site.
Pick your price. Book a trip on "name your own price" sites such as http://www.priceline.com/ and http://www.hotwire.com/ . You wont know the name and location until your purchase but you'll save a bundle. For insider tips on these sites, check out http://www.betterbidding.com/ and http://www.biddingfortravel.com/ .
Do disney for less. http://www.mousesavers.com/ offers deep discounts on america's favorite vacations.
Swap homes. For supercheap trips, arrange a short term house exchange at http://www.homeexchange.com/ or http://www.intervacus.com/ or http://www.homelink.org/ . For a more youth-oriented "you can stay on my couch if you I can stay on yours" approach. Take a look at http://www.couchsurfing.com/
All these tips are thanks to All You magazine January's addition available at http://www.allyou.com/ or your local Walmart stands.
Find hotel specials.Check out http://www.hotels.com/ for good deals before you visit the hotels own site because even better bargains will often be featured on this site.
Pick your price. Book a trip on "name your own price" sites such as http://www.priceline.com/ and http://www.hotwire.com/ . You wont know the name and location until your purchase but you'll save a bundle. For insider tips on these sites, check out http://www.betterbidding.com/ and http://www.biddingfortravel.com/ .
Do disney for less. http://www.mousesavers.com/ offers deep discounts on america's favorite vacations.
Swap homes. For supercheap trips, arrange a short term house exchange at http://www.homeexchange.com/ or http://www.intervacus.com/ or http://www.homelink.org/ . For a more youth-oriented "you can stay on my couch if you I can stay on yours" approach. Take a look at http://www.couchsurfing.com/
All these tips are thanks to All You magazine January's addition available at http://www.allyou.com/ or your local Walmart stands.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Relax and Unwind Post 8 of 9
Relax and Unwind
Download tv shows.Cut back on premium cable shannels by watching select shows for free at www.modemfeed.com and www.hulu.com . Also check out the networks own sites for free replays.Save on cd buying.
Subscribe to Rhapsody, and "all you can eat" music service. It lets you choose from more than a million songs for about the cost of 1 cd per month. Or tune into the free streaming-music service at www.pandora.com
Trade, dont buy Swap your books, cd's, dvd's and video games with other traders at www.swaptree.com or barter for a wider variety of items at www.swapthing.com
Download tv shows.Cut back on premium cable shannels by watching select shows for free at www.modemfeed.com and www.hulu.com . Also check out the networks own sites for free replays.Save on cd buying.
Subscribe to Rhapsody, and "all you can eat" music service. It lets you choose from more than a million songs for about the cost of 1 cd per month. Or tune into the free streaming-music service at www.pandora.com
Trade, dont buy Swap your books, cd's, dvd's and video games with other traders at www.swaptree.com or barter for a wider variety of items at www.swapthing.com
Friday, January 2, 2009
Fly Cheaply party Post 7 or 9
Fly Cheaply
Buy Online
If you're dealing directly with airline, purchasing your ticket online will usually cost you at least $10 less per ticket than if you would if you paid by phone.Snag the lowest price. Use a one-stop-shopping site like http://www.kayak.com/ or http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ to search multiple sites for the best prices on a flight.Know when to buy. Sign up for low-fare alerts at http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/ and get advice on whether to buy your tickets now or later at http://www.farecast.com/ - it uses past trends to predict whether fares on specific routes are likely to rise or fall.Get a refund. In addition to finding and tracking fares, http://www.yapta.com/ will allert you if there's a price drop after you buy your ticket. Depending on the cost and the airline, you may be elegible for credit or a voucher.Stay tuned January 2nd for Relax and Unwind
Buy Online
If you're dealing directly with airline, purchasing your ticket online will usually cost you at least $10 less per ticket than if you would if you paid by phone.Snag the lowest price. Use a one-stop-shopping site like http://www.kayak.com/ or http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ to search multiple sites for the best prices on a flight.Know when to buy. Sign up for low-fare alerts at http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/ and get advice on whether to buy your tickets now or later at http://www.farecast.com/ - it uses past trends to predict whether fares on specific routes are likely to rise or fall.Get a refund. In addition to finding and tracking fares, http://www.yapta.com/ will allert you if there's a price drop after you buy your ticket. Depending on the cost and the airline, you may be elegible for credit or a voucher.Stay tuned January 2nd for Relax and Unwind
Freebies
Ive been taking a vacation from blogging this last week. I decided to do this due to no freebies or good deals for a long time. So I decided to wait until things picked up. Plus we were snowed in for about a week, so I took time away with my family. But im back and hopefully things start to pick up.
Get a FREE Subscription to The Nest
Just Married? Find tips on buying a home, decorating ideas, easy recipes and more in The Nest! The Nest is the new magazine for newlyweds from The Knot. Complete your registration details to receive a FREE subscription.Click here for The Nest
Get a FREE Sample of Orville Redenbacher's Natural Popping Corn
Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn is the leader in microwave popcorn. It's the perfect snack for the entire family – popping up hot, fresh and delicious every time. Orville Redenbacher's Natural flavors are 100-percent whole grain with no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and zero grams of trans fat per serving. Enjoy a natural lime flavor with a clean, refreshing citrus taste with Orville Redenbacher's newest flavor. Click on 'click here' and fill in your details on the following page for your FREE sample of Orville Redenbacher's Natural Gourmet Popping Corn.Click here for Orville Redenbacher Natural Popping Corn
Ive recieved two of these samples and did enjoy the taste but each time I would eat it, I would get sores on my tongue. Im not sure if its the acidic content or not. I do eat popcorn every week and dont have this reaction to my popcorn ( I pop).
FREE Sample of Kirkland Signature Supreme Diapers
Kirkland Signature Supreme diapers feature advanced technology to provide your child with an outstanding fit, comfort and protection. Costco is offering a free sample of Kirkland Signature Diapers! Just fill out the simple form and choose the diaper size you need. You do not need a Costco Member Number to submit the form.Click here for Kirkland Signature Diapers
Ive always recieved Costco samples. My daughters will use the diapers for their baby dolls. You could also donate them to people in need. Great way to help out.
Gold Bond Ultimate Soothing Lotion - FREE Sample
Gold Bond Ultimate® Soothing Skin Therapy Lotion is a daily, fragrance-free, therapeutic moisturizer that soothes and calms irritated, dry skin. That’s because seven comforting moisturizers combine with skin-nurturing vitamins A, C and E, plus naturally soothing chamomile and redness-relieving botanicals like oat extract and organic ginger root. Complete your details for a FREE sample.Click here for Gold Bond Ultimate Soothing Lotion
Order a FREE Sample of JLO Deseo for Men Fragrance
Deseo Cologne by Jennifer Lopez, Deseo is a masculine scent you will definitely enjoy. Lemon, berries, sandalwood and vanilla help make this a fragrance you can wear round the clock. Complete the form and answer a few questions for a FREE sample of JLO Deseo for Men.Click here for JLO Deseo for Men Fragrance
Free Pampers Rewards Point
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
Get a FREE Subscription to The Nest
Just Married? Find tips on buying a home, decorating ideas, easy recipes and more in The Nest! The Nest is the new magazine for newlyweds from The Knot. Complete your registration details to receive a FREE subscription.Click here for The Nest
Get a FREE Sample of Orville Redenbacher's Natural Popping Corn
Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn is the leader in microwave popcorn. It's the perfect snack for the entire family – popping up hot, fresh and delicious every time. Orville Redenbacher's Natural flavors are 100-percent whole grain with no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and zero grams of trans fat per serving. Enjoy a natural lime flavor with a clean, refreshing citrus taste with Orville Redenbacher's newest flavor. Click on 'click here' and fill in your details on the following page for your FREE sample of Orville Redenbacher's Natural Gourmet Popping Corn.Click here for Orville Redenbacher Natural Popping Corn
Ive recieved two of these samples and did enjoy the taste but each time I would eat it, I would get sores on my tongue. Im not sure if its the acidic content or not. I do eat popcorn every week and dont have this reaction to my popcorn ( I pop).
FREE Sample of Kirkland Signature Supreme Diapers
Kirkland Signature Supreme diapers feature advanced technology to provide your child with an outstanding fit, comfort and protection. Costco is offering a free sample of Kirkland Signature Diapers! Just fill out the simple form and choose the diaper size you need. You do not need a Costco Member Number to submit the form.Click here for Kirkland Signature Diapers
Ive always recieved Costco samples. My daughters will use the diapers for their baby dolls. You could also donate them to people in need. Great way to help out.
Gold Bond Ultimate Soothing Lotion - FREE Sample
Gold Bond Ultimate® Soothing Skin Therapy Lotion is a daily, fragrance-free, therapeutic moisturizer that soothes and calms irritated, dry skin. That’s because seven comforting moisturizers combine with skin-nurturing vitamins A, C and E, plus naturally soothing chamomile and redness-relieving botanicals like oat extract and organic ginger root. Complete your details for a FREE sample.Click here for Gold Bond Ultimate Soothing Lotion
Order a FREE Sample of JLO Deseo for Men Fragrance
Deseo Cologne by Jennifer Lopez, Deseo is a masculine scent you will definitely enjoy. Lemon, berries, sandalwood and vanilla help make this a fragrance you can wear round the clock. Complete the form and answer a few questions for a FREE sample of JLO Deseo for Men.Click here for JLO Deseo for Men Fragrance
Free Pampers Rewards Point
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
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