Frazzled Friday: Yet Another Late Thrifty Thursday

Not much to share this week other than this.

If your school or church or women's club or, well, whatever, holds a rummage sale, and you are a thrifty shopper . . . VOLUNTEER.

Not only did I unload boxes of stuff from our home, but I picked up some amazing Star Wars toys, a few new shirts for myself, 4T pants for Zane, and two new pairs of boots (for me) - one being from LL BEAN.

My Frazzled Friday tip of the week?

Volunteer.

It took us from 8-8 to sort everything today. The sale is tomorrow . . . see why I'm frazzled?

Thrifty Thursday: Cleaning Out the Pantry

I've been quite clear about my blog-envy for Stephanie over at A Year of Crockpotting and Totally Together Journal.

I know. Envy is bad.

And yet, how can it be bad when the result from my blog-crushin' on her is so, well, good?

I've already shared the good that has come from practicing her Daily 7.

So, I decided this week to attempt to cook a meal from items currently in my pantry. For I am beginning to reinvent my pantry - stocking it full of staples so that in a bind I can, indeed, just whip something together. Turned out, after taking a quick inventory, that I had all the fixin's to make Stephanie's recipe for Poor Man's Chili.

Delicious.

And talk about thrifty. I had all the simple ingredients on hand, plus some leftover diced chicken and roast that I also dumped in - making it not so "poor". However, it would have been just fine had I not included the meat. It was hearty.

George loved it.

Harper loved it.

Zane had pasta.

Our freezer is happy to be taking care of the leftovers for us. Our freezer feels so important.

My goal is to continue working at keeping a well stocked pantry to assist with my weekly meal planning as well as with emergencies. I do not have the desire to do a monthly meal plan, nor do I desire to once a month cook, but I do desire to have the ability to shoot from the hip should the need arise.

Is your pantry well stocked? Stocked well enough to pull something together at a moment's notice?

A Saved Saturday: Better Known as Thrifty Thursday

Sorry for leaving you hanging on Thrifty Thursday.

My lack of posting that day was intentional, for I wanted to see how Saturday and Sunday would look if I truly adopted the "Daily 7" that I wrote about last week.

The result of our commitment to the "Daily 7" is this:

We've saved our weekend. We've saved our "sabbath time".

How?

By reaching the weekend without having anything extra to straighten.

Which helped tremendously when we got a call today requesting a showing of our home 30 minutes before the potential buyers wanted to come.

This is also the first weekend where we haven't had to spend a Saturday catching up on loads of laundry.

This will be the first Sunday where we will not have to use part of the day to wash, fold, and return clothes to the proper closet.

So while this post isn't necessarily about saving money, or being thrifty and frugal, it IS about saving TIME - which is precious.

I am thrilled that we have adopted new habits. For we are now convinced that tiny tid-bits of cleaning every day can add up to big rewards on the weekends.

And that equals a saved Saturday.

Thrifty Thursday: Speak Up!

So today's edition of "Thrifty Thursday" may be a stretch.

My helpful tip for the day?

SPEAK UP!

Do you realize how much stuff your friends and family have accumulated in their basements, garages, and sheds?

Do you realize it is Spring and that traditionally around this time of year many folks begin the annual ancient rite of "Spring Cleaning"?

Do you realize that these people actually HAUL their stuff to rummage sales and second hand stores, or place ads on Craig's List or Ebay in order to purge themselves of these unnecessary pieces of excess baggage?

For goodness sake! We can help them! We must save them from this tireless exercise of hauling bags and boxes.

I can hear you saying, "This task seems too large, Joline. How can I, one person, actually take on the ritual that is "Spring Cleaning"?"

How, you ask?

By SPEAKING UP!

Is there a particular item you need? Say a bike with training wheels for your 4 year old son? And, perhaps a helmet thrown in for safety and good measure and all that?

Well, here's an idea.

If you are in need of something, how about asking those around you if they are planning on discarding the said item before going out to spend the money on something new, or gently used?

Worked for me. Thanks, Klamm's!

Oh, and for goodness sake, if someone DOES have the item that you need, and they are willing to just hand it over to you, go pick it up yourself. Friends don't let friends make deliveries of freebies.

Thrify Thursday: Reuse, Reuse, Reuse

Anyone who has ever moved understands "box obsession".

I believe it was Jerry Seinfeld who found the humor in one's aimless pursuit of boxes during the packing phase of relocating. I get this.

But not necessarily for the obvious reason you may thinking. For yes, I'm moving in June, but I've not yet begun the process of hunting down empty corrugated cardboard prisms in every grocery store and business in town. Not yet.

However, I am still obsessed with boxes and packing materials.

I keep every single box that I receive via MK Corporate. I hold on to all envelopes (padded or flat) that I receive from PaperbackSwap deliveries. I hoard packing materials from gifts that we have been sent.

I keep them all in my closet.

Why? Because I turn around and ship product to my customers - and do you realize how much boxes cost? Now, when I move, and my shipments become more frequent, I may need to invest in more packaging, but right now, I have the supplies to ship at least 15 orders.

Why? Because I turn around and ship books via PaperBackSwap. A well placed label and packing tape can cover all rips on a used padded envelope. And when I don't have an envelope handy, I place the book in plastic (unfortunately some MK products come in plastic bags - so I just reuse them), and then wrap the order in brown paper from a grocery bag.

Why? Because I refuse to pay extra for materials that will be thrown away.

I have the same issue with wrapping paper. I equate wrapping paper with taking one's cash and throwing it in the trashcan. I cringe when I see a gift wrapped in expensive paper, only to see it ripped to shreds and thrown away. You won't find me on the school fundraising committee for Sally Foster. Sorry. If a store offers free gift wrap - then, perhaps, I will think about it.

During the pregnancy years of my circle of friends, there was one particular "new baby" gift bag that must have made the rounds at least 3 or 4 times. I have continued the tradition of keeping gift bags. Another new tradition is that of saving the cover of Christmas cards, cutting them into shapes, and reusing them as gift labels.

Reuse.

Reuse.

Reuse.

Oh! And how can I forget to mention that Timber Creek Farms has been sending "green bags" with my produce order! I've accumulated three of these bags which keep the produce fresher for a longer period of time. No extra charge! Sa-weet.

On a side note, I had a friend ask me recently why I use PaperbackSwap when I can just get a book from the library for free.

• I do frequent the library. Between myself and the kids, we take out about 25 books a week. However, I am TERRIBLE at getting things back on time. I end up paying fines. Fines that cost more than PaperbackSwap.
  
• Two: at the rate that I read, it is at times difficult to get the particular book that I would like from the library. With the library, you can only put a book on hold that is currently checked out. You can't just create a shopping cart, have someone pull your choices, and go pick up those books in the morning, or have them delivered. With PaperbackSwap, I can order what I want, when I want, and have them sent to my front door.
  
• Three: I have books in my home that I don't care to keep, and rather than just bringing them to the thrift store, it is way more fun to send them off to someone who may want that title, (thus getting rid of clutter in my house), and then turning around and choosing a title that I DO want.
• Four: shopping from home. I rarely get to the library by myself. Ever lost a kid in the stacks? I have.
• Five: I can't afford to buy books and yet there are titles that I would like to own. So, now I can own them for $2.00.

Thrifty Thursday: When Cheap Actually Costs More

While traveling along this journey towards thriftiness I have realized that there are some items for which spending less has actually ended up costing me more.

What?

Yep. Quality does indeed trump a cheap price when the item in question fails to perform well, thus resulting in a big 'ole waste of money.

So, I thought I would take today's post to list a few items for which I would rather pay more simply because they out perform their cheaper alternative's.

Ritz Crackers
My children love, love, love, Ritz crackers. Harper develops recipe's with them. Zane eats them every day.

We have tried the store brands of imitation Ritz crackers. They are certainly less expensive. Almost $1.50 cheaper. But, they are also a crumbly mess. They can not withstand the salsa and cheese and nuking that my daughter does to create her Ritz cracker pizza's. Heck, they can hardly withstand the trip from the shelf, to the belt, to the bag, to the car, to the kitchen.

Several times, enticed by the cheaper price, I have purchased Target's brand of "Ritz" crackers. I am disappointed every time and end up chucking one entire roll of what should be crackers that are actually in one piece. Sure, I could keep them to sprinkle on soup, but honestly, I don't eat the stuff. The funny thing is, I've done this again and again and again - tempted by the price - only to be frustrated with the quality.

And the crumbled one's just make the kids sad. We've had entire boxes come home crushed. And who really wants to waste the time and gas to drive back to Target to return a box of crackers? Doesn't it make sense to just purchase the better brand?

The imitation just doesn't stand the test.

Nutella
Nutella is the nectar that gets my son to eat his vegetables and 100% whole wheat, fleck included, breads and bagels, and fruit. He's just not a nutritious eater, but dab a little Nutella on the plate and every vegetable disappears.

I've tried the store brands. Zane has tried the store brands. He won't eat them. How has that saved me any money?

They just don't spread well. They just aren't creamy.

They just aren't the friend I call Nutella.

Bra's
Ok, this one is for the ladies.

Ladies, forgive me for sounding like Oprah here, but PLEASE purchase a quality bra to hold up the ta-ta's. Seriously, ladies, unless you are a A or B, a $9.99 bra ain't gonna do it. I can't stand watching women walk around with their girls hanging down by their belts, or their shoulder's hunched forward due to extra frontal weight that isn't being properly supported. These situations just are not necessary if one has the right equipment. Yes, in my case, bra's are pieces of equipment.

If you don't think I'm qualified to speak on this subject, take a good look at me . . . ahem, I know what I'm talking about.

THREE YEARS AGO I purchased two bras for almost $60 a piece. Ouch! Right? Well, think again. That was THREE YEARS AGO. I had a proper bra fitting at Nordstrom's, and then INVESTED in two that I wear every week. Every week! I haven't bought a new bra since that visit.

I wash them in a lingerie bag to keep their shape, I hang them up to dry, and I've even had a tiny rip repaired.

When the time comes, I will invest that amount again. And again. And again.

Mary Kay - yeah, I know. Enough with the Mary Kay!
I don't really need to write anymore about this, except to say that the Mary Kay brand is not the least expensive brand out there. I've never said it was inexpensive. However, it's certainly not the most expensive either.

Priced higher than drugstore brands, (although have you seen the number of skin care lines they now carry at CVS? There are like a trillion of them along the wall as you enter the store and they are priced pretty darn high for a drug store), but less than the department store brands, Mary Kay falls right in the middle.

I'll continue paying for the stuff.

In the past, I found that some cheaper brands just didn't have the staying power - more product was needed to get the desired result, (both in terms of skin care and color), resulting in having to repurchase items more frequently. Plus, not all stores guarantee that a product can be returned for a full refund once used - many will just offer store credit.

So, that's that. Not a very full list - just a smattering.

Ritz, Nutella, Bra's, and MK. A crazy list to be sure.

Are there items that you are willing to pay more for even though a less expensive alternative is available?

Please share!

Thrifty Thursday: Cutting Out Waste

Paper towels.

Plastic sandwich and snack bags.

Household cleaners.

Three items which have successfully disappeared from my home. Inconvenient? Sometimes. Cost effective. Most definitely.

From paper towels to Micro-fiber Cloths
I used to buy paper towels in bulk. I was a paper towel snob and would only purchase Bounty, because, yes, one sheet could indeed absorb more than the cheap variety where I would have to pull off several sheets to do one job.

And yet, even though I was using less sheets per clean up, I wasn't very conscious about throwing the used paper towel in the recycle bin. Nope. Into the trash they went.

So, not only was I throwing my money into the trash, I was also throwing my trash into landfills. I know, I know, don't go throwing the fact that I used disposable diapers back in my face. At least applaud my small efforts.

I now use Micro-fiber cloths to clean. Everything. You can get them anywhere. My tip? Go to the automotive department at a store like Target, where I picked up 10 for something like $6.00. If you go to the aisle with household cleaners, sponges, etc, you will end up paying more. Save money by hitting the aisle where the guys with the cool cars go in order to get a soft cloth to keep their machine sparklin' for the ladies.

(Yeah, I don't know what that was all about. I just read an article on writing and am working on not censoring myself mid-thought.)

I hear that Williams-Sonoma has an incredible kitchen towel which is well worth the money. I'll double check what variety and get back to you . . .

From plastic sandwich/snack bags to Reusable Containers
Unless you are someone who is conscious about drying out plastic baggies, say, on a baby bottle rack, or something similar, I just can not see any reason for using plastic bags. There I've said it. Have I offended you? Do I sound like a green snob? I don't mean to. I just want to impress the importance of thinking long term, rather than convenience.

My kids take their lunches to school. Even the 4 year old. I send them with reusable containers, and no, I didn't buy expensive one's. I looked for sales, used coupons, and purchased those containers which are supposed to be "one time use". They lie. "One time use" containers can be cleaned over and over and over again. Top rack of the dishwasher or by hand.

And yes, the kids bring them home. We use them for everything. Lunch. Snacks. Leftovers.

From purchasing household cleaners to Making Household Cleaners
Simply put, water, vinegar, and baking soda can go a long way. Check out this article on Blissfully Domestic for Earth and money saving ideas when it comes to cleaning your home! Seriously, have you really checked the price of household cleaners? Not cheap. And, if you go "green", the cost goes up. I'm done. Making my own cleanin' moonshine these days.

Challenge: For the month of March, try to go without paper towels and plastic bags. Purchase a spray bottle and try out one of the "recipes" on the link I posted above. You can do it!

Let me know how you do!

Thrifty Thursday: A Day Late, but Not a Dollar Short

Forgive me for my lack of Thrifty reporting on Thursday. This week has flown by. We have been blessed to have three showings of our home this week, and that, coupled with either George or myself being out every night this week, left me with less time to write.

But, however jammed packed the schedule seemed to be, I was still able to pull out my Thifty hat and wear it proudly.

One thing I will sorely miss about Chicago are the FREE MUSEUM DAYS!

Last Spring Break, I took the kids to several Chicago museums on the days where they welcomed the public for FREE. We visited the Chicago Historical Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. You can read further about our adventures, here.

On President's Day this year, I took the kids back to the Chicago Historical Museum, so they could meet President Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd, George Washington, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt. The day was wonderful, complete with an hour long discussion with President Lincoln and his wife who even fielded questions about current Illinois politics. I enjoyed how Abe showed confusion over any questions from the audience regarding his death. After all, he was still sitting there, wasn't he? It was great. Harper, especially, enjoyed the performance.

Yesterday, I took Zane on a date to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - one of our favorite spots. Thursday is free day. And if you get there right at 9:00 - you won't have to contend with parking. If you get there at 9:30, you WILL contend with parking and the place becomes strollerville. If you arrive around 10:30, once again parking because a dream, and the strollerville crowd begins to clear out a bit.

Zane enjoyed being "the scientist" and even had a special scientist walk. He showed me, the student, around the place. We had a small bite in the cafe, which serves organic food, and I was able to walk the museum with a cup of coffee - yes, that is important! Don't you know me?

Surprisingly, he showed absolutely NO interest in watching the water snakes during feeding time, but was quite interested in listening to frog and toad sounds (they have a GREAT exhibit on frogs and toads right now).

So, here is a list of a few FREE MUSEUM DAYS in Chicago.

Note: If you can't handle crowds, or children, you may not want to take advantage of the free days - you'll just end up complaining. No judgement here, I'm merely trying to save you from having a bad experience.

(This list is subject to change, and is just an offering. It is not a comprehensive list).

Monday

• The Chicago History Museum
• Chicago Children's Museum: Free admission on the first Monday of every month for kids 15 and younger (adults are not free). This will change to Sundays in May.
  

Tuesday

• Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Art Institute of Chicago has free days in February. Considering that it is now February 27 there is only one more day to take advantage of this. The schedule then returns to FREE evenings, after 5:00 pm on Thursdays.

Wednesday

• The Field Museum

Thursday

• Chicago Children's Museum: Free from5-8 on Thursday evenings.
• DuSable Museum of African American History
• Museum of Science and Industry

There are many others - some being free every day.

For a more comprehensive list, check out this site, but be sure to doublecheck with the actual museum.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Pittsburgh has to offer in terms of free museum days!!!

Thrifty Thursday: Counting the Cost

Well, it's been a month since our family ventured onto Timbercreek Farms for our weekly fill of organic vegetables and fruits.

So, I guess it's time to put my money where my mouth is. I've been shooting it off every Thursday, by sharing my creative ways for saving a buck in order in order to experience an industrious and prosperous life. Remember, I'm not at this to get rich. I do, however, want to experience freedom from the binds of financial stress.

I went back in time on good 'ole Quicken to see what we spent on groceries between 1-23-08 to 2-20-08. The total: $857. ARE YOU FREAKIN' SERIOUS???

Flash forward to 2009. From 1-23-08 to 2-20-08, I spent, drum roll please . . . $490!

Still, rather high, but at just around $114 a week, I'm certainly happier about it, than the $857 - for which I should have been eating steak. Good steak. Somehow, I don't remember purchasing any.

Now, too much gloating isn't good for the soul, so let me be honest and share that the $857 price tag probably included some diapers and household goods, that I failed to itemize. Zane isn't wearing diapers any longer, and I actually make a lot of household cleaners now, (baking soda and white vinegar can go a long way), so it makes sense that this number is ridiculously high.

I'm challenging myself to get that number under $400. That is my goal over these next 3o days. I'm not that person to buy canned veggie's and eat tons of rice and pasta, so I'm not expecting we'll be that family who can survive on $50 a week for groceries - but I do think that $80 a week is doable.

As for the waste I used to experience upon purchasing too much produce? Well, I must be honest, it has been difficult to get through all the leafy green goodness that comes to our door. We've had to get creative. And yet, unlike the past, I haven't found myself chucking an entire head of anything. Parts of a big leafy head which get all wilty (that's my own word) and sad? Yes. However, I am certainly not throwing away the amount of food that I used to.

Dare me to get that grocery bill even lower?
Where have you decreased costs over the last year?

Photo by Darren Hester

Thrifty Thursday: Won't You Be My Valentine?

"In this small sign I find a way to greet my Valentine today."

I did it.

I actually made all my Valentine Card's this year.

Well, Zane made 21 of them. But just like Shake 'n Bake, "I helped!".

It was my goal to avoid purchasing any boxes of meaningless and thoughtless Hannah Montana, or Spongebob, or Transformer Valentine's greetings this year. I probably just offended a ton of you. Sorry. Kind of.

Moms R Us helped out my goal by sponsoring a card-making event this past Monday. I love this event. Everyone pitched in by bringing paper, stamps, stickers, and scissors - although all of us forgot about glue. So, GASP!, we shared. Somehow, everyone was able to make their cards with 2 glue sticks being passed from creative Mom to creative Mom. Within an hour I had successfully crafted 4 hand-made Valentine's cards, and was blessed by the fellowship with the ladies.

Three of the cards are for George, Harper, and Zane, of course.

The 4th? For me. I made myself a Valentine's Day card from the big "J" Himself.

On the front, in has hearts falling from the sky and the word "trust". Inside, He wrote, "My love endures forever." It is signed, heart sticker, J. Translation: Love, Jesus - he's so hip.

Card-fest continued with a visit to Tom Thumb, quite possibly the most disorganized craft store ever, and yet one of those places unique to Evanston that I will miss so deeply when we move. For while it may seem a scattered mess, I never cease to be inspired when I visit. Zane and I had a list: a pack of white construction paper, plastic to make a stencil, a sponge brush, and some stickers.

We headed home and began our project. Zane successfully made 14 painted cards for his classmates, using the construction paper, a heart stencil that we made, and red paint we already owned. He stenciled the heart on the front of the card, placed a sticker in each one, and then signed off on them with his signature "Z". Having finished cards for his class, he continued on, making one for me, Harper, George, his 3 teachers, and the school's administrative assistant who gives him a lollipop everyday - and goes the extra mile by digging through the bag of Dum-Dum's in order to find him the root beer one's that he adores the most.

Sidebar: at school, when asked, "How do we show our love to others?", Zane answered, "With ancient writing."

This, no doubt, has something to do with Egypt and hieroglyphics, and, well, I don't know. He's Zane.

As for Harper? Well, her teacher is a hit with me. Rather than having the kids bring in the customary HS Musical or Camp Rock cards, she had the kids work on a writing project for a full week. Each day, for homework, Harper had to write a letter to three of her classmates, and then make a card for them out of supplies which were donated by all the families in class. Mrs. M also distributed a list of personality traits and interests about each child in the class, (all the kids helped with developing this list), so that the letters would actually include an expression of something specific about each classmate. For instance, the class agreed that Harper "loves puppies" and that she is "spunky". Using this description as a starting point, her friend's will write her a Valentine greeting.

Tomorrow, her class will enjoy a quiet festivity, reading their letters, all 20 of them, while munching on a cupcake. Sounds delightful. I hear the cupcakes will be from Tag's. This is turning into a post about Evanston businesses I will miss upon moving.

Last fall, I picked up these adorable plastic heart boxes at the Thrift store for $.50 a piece. So, tomorrow, I will head to the $1.00 store and get Harper and Zane a few small treats. I'll then pack up the boxes with the goodies and the cards and have them waiting for them when they wake on Saturday morning.

Before they go to the dentist. Bad, bad planning on my part.

But hey, my chiropractor gave me flowers today. Perhaps Dr. Fisher has something special planned for all the children who have the privilege of visiting the dentist on Valentine's Day!

The cost of Valentine's this year? Just around $10.00 for 45 personal cards, some containers, and some small treats.

(Although, if you add in the trip to the dentist, that cost increases. Dramatically. So, we'll just leave that amount out of the equation!)

How are you getting your thrift on for this Valentine's Day?

Photo by Chicks57

Thrifty Thursday: Land's End

I have not had good luck with Land's End winter jackets.

But, it may just be me. Many folks are surprised to hear about my woes with their products.

I have had two winter jackets from Land's End. On the first, the cuff's frayed after a few months of wear. I sent it back and they sent me another, only my original color had been discontinued, and thus my boots, purchased to match the first coat, also had to be replaced. Otherwise I would have looked like a friggin' rainbow. To their credit, they took back the original boots as well.

On the replacement jacket, the zipper broke. Land's End sent me another. After wearing it for about a year I ended up donating it. I got sick of the color of the replacement. That was last winter.

So, while I can complain about Land's End workmanship, I can't complain about their return policy, for they were true to their word about either repairing or completely replacing damaged items. Due to that policy, I haven't actually had to purchase a winter coat since 2005.

Sure, it was a bit of a hassle to send the damaged jackets (and boots) back to the company, and sure, I had to then wait for the new jackets (and boots) to be shipped. And then there was the issue of the discontinued color.

But, still, I didn't pay anything.

The zipper on George's coat has been broken for two weeks. He hasn't complained and has made it work. Somehow. But, today, I finally called Land's End.

For while this new zipper issue triggers a dislike for the entire zipper department over there at Land's End, (and thus I may be switching to L.L.Bean in the future), I wasn't about to trash the coat until I got a new one. Might as well get a free replacement. Right?

And I will. I will be returning George's damaged coat, purchased in December of 2006, to Sears (as they take Land's End returns), and they will be mailing him the 2008 model of the same style.

A savings of $59.99.

I think I will investigate L.L. Bean for next winter, for the entire family will be due for a new gear - especially with the move to Beaver, where I hear snow can begin in October. L.L. Bean has a similar return policy and I'd like to see how their product quality compares to that of Land's End.

Tip of the day: Before getting all hot headed when a product breaks, as I usually do, follow up with the company - especially if the company has a return policy like Land's End or L.L. Bean stating that they will repair or replace your item for free.

It makes sense to shop with companies that offer a true satisfaction guarantee. No hassles.

Thrift means that you should always have the best you can possibly afford, when the thing has any reference to your physical and mental health, to your growth in efficiency and power. ~Orison Swett Marden


Photo by Scott L

Thrifty Thursday: Sticking with my MK

This post is going to sound like a sales set-up.

Not my intention.

It is no secret that I'm an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics.

It is a business. Not a hobby. Anyone in direct sales knows they won't be in business for very long if they:

1. Treat it like a hobby, and
2. Keep it a secret

I've been using Mary Kay skin care for just about 10 years. I've been selling Mary Kay skin care for just over a year and a half, and began using their color cosmetics at the time that I became a consultant. I like using the product and I like making money selling the product. It's a win-win.

I will continue to both use and sell the product upon moving to Beaver.

"Ok, Joline, we get it. You dig the pink biz. But why is this post making it into Thrifty Thursday?"

Because with Mary Kay I am thriftier with my spending on beauty products.

My family can attest that I have ALWAYS been into cosmetics and skin care. I used night cream when I was in 7th grade. I love jars, and colors, and yummy whipped creams, and tubes, and brushes, and scrubs. Perhaps having been in professional theater beginning in 6th grade, and thus needing to clean burnt cork, or pancake, or really red lipstick off my face night after night had something to do with my early interest in beauty products.

My fabulous Aunt fed my enthusiasm. Every Christmas I could be sure that she would give me some sort of glamorous makeup kit or set. I remember fondly one brand of shadows, blushes, and cream lip colors by Calvin Kline that sat in stackable trays. I felt like a hot shot. I never knew where she found these! It was like a hidden treasure that only the cool Aunt could find and bestow upon you.

My favorite store used to be the now defunct Cosmetic Center, followed by Ulta 3, and when I was still doing on-camera work, the M.A.C store on East Oak downtown, where I received a SAG discount. I could spend hours in these stories. And cash. Hours and cash.

Regardless of what store, I spent a ton of money on both skin care and cosmetics. I had enough to fill a tackle box or two. Now, in my defense, I was performing regularly in theater, and thus needed product. Not so for commercials where they handled my face for me. Boy, was that nice.

Once I "retired", (a term I use loosely), from performing, I was left with a big box of colors and products that I just couldn't use daily. The colors weren't right for "every day", especially the lip colors. Many eye products got chucked, as I'm a stickler for keeping my cosmetics clean from bacteria - especially eye products - and thus, I just pitched everything that was over two years old.

I would then restock with items that I thought worked for me. Never actually finishing an entire product. My box was refilled with useless, unfinished items. I still had my Mary Kay skin care (Classic Basic), but I would also purchase extra, non-Mary Kay products, for no reason other than that I liked to shop for them. I didn't need them. And so they sat. And sat.

Enter Mary Kay. I now spend less on myself than I did in the past. I get my products half-price, and I make 50% on everything I sell. I don't ever need to run out to the store to peruse the aisles wondering if a color will work for me, or if a product will jive with my skin. I get to try everything in my home before purchasing an item for myself, and after using it for a bit, if I don't like it, I can return it - even if I've used it. The company has been in business for 45 years. They are a debt free company. They enrich the lives of women, like myself, who just need to bring in a bit of extra income. They don't engage in animal testing. They are in 38 world markets. The have an awesome research/development/and medical team that I can personally contact on behalf of myself and my customers. They have staying power.

Even NPR had a recent story about direct sales cosmetic companies and how they are providing a bit more support for women during this economic recession. For in economic times, most women are not willing to give up the products which make them feel good.

I'm one of them. Only, I get them even cheaper!

I have less makeup than I did before becoming a consultant. I have less skincare than I did before becoming a consultant. I spend less money on these items than I did before becoming a consultant.

But, here's where we may differ. See, I really like skin care and cosmetics. So this works for me. Give me some Microdermabrasion and Oil Free Hydrating Gel and I can feel happy for hours. Even in this economy, I will continue to "splurge" on myself. Only now, a splurge means an eye color and cleanser and moisturizer and lip color at wholesale prices. No gas. No parking. No wandering the aisles. No closet full of half-used bottles or tubes of lipsticks that have been used twice only to be handed over to Harper for play make-up. As if she even plays with make-up. Not.

I should add that shopping drives me insane. Upon having children I lost my ability to browse. So, perhaps, this is another reason that I enjoy my business: the perk of not having to shop in an actual store.

Does Mary Kay = Thrifty? Well, it does for me. I'm not going to give up purchasing and using personal care products. So, I may as well get them for a better price and make money at the same time. Mary Kay works for me while I work for Mary Kay. Sounds like a thrifty opportunity to me!

Have you been able to turn a personal interest into a thrifty opportunity during this economic conundrum? (Isn't that a great word?)

Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship. ~Benjamin Franklin

Their Appetites are Bountiful

Uh-oh.

Fruit and vegetables delivered last Friday.

It is now Monday and we have 1 more orange, 3 more apples, 3 pears, and banana's.

My family goes through fruit like I go through coffee. This could prove problematic.

Although the solution may be found in supplementing with one more bag of apples.

The amount of vegetables seems about right. We popped an onion and green bell pepper into a fantastic chili yesterday. I've chopped up all the lettuce for salads, and tonight, those brussels sprouts will adorn our dinner plates. We still have a head of cauliflower and tomatoes for my salads.

But the fruit?

Quickly disappearing like a pot of joe on a Monday morning when Mommy is taking a personal day to chill from yesterday's stress and to straighten our soon-to-be-up-for-sale-house.

Nearly empty.

The Harvest is Bountiful

Oh. My. Word.

Today I received my first order of vegetables and fruit from Timber Creek Farms. Having made a deal with my girlfriend to split the Farmer's Market Box every week, I was excited to meet up with her to divvy up the goods.

Oh. My. Word.

Let me try and list the inventory of fresh, organic, vegetables and fruits now sitting in my kitchen. Keep in mind that these items are organic, and that the total cost for these items came to $25.00.

Bananas (5)
Apples (6)
Pears (3)
Oranges. HUGE. Oranges (10)
Full head of romaine
Full head of green leaf lettuce
Brussels Sprouts (before you hurl, I have an incredible recipe coming my way for these)
Celery (Zane loved this with peanut butter and nutella today)
Head of cauliflower
Tomatoes (2)
Garlic
Onion

I can see needing more apples, as Harper is an apple fanatic. And she also loves cuties - so I'll have to sell her on oranges. I may have to pick up some baby carrots also, although Zane loved the celery today. Time to try new things, right?

Compare the above to what I purchased last week for $25.70.

Grapes (2.67 lb. Half of which went sour because we didn't eat them fast enough)
Red Bell Pepper (2)
Box of Cuties
Baby Carrots (2 lb bag)
Granny Smith apples, organic (one bag)

Quite interesting . . .

And it's not even Thrifty Thursday!

Frugal Friday?

Thrifty Thursday: A Bold Move

Want to make a radical step towards becoming more thrifty?

Move to a less expensive city.

I know, that sounds a bit flip coming from me. For, in fact, our family is planning a move from the Chicagoland area to Beaver, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh, come June.

And yet, the idea of downsizing, whether that be a car, a house, or a city, has got me thinking.

We strive for bigger and better in America, although even this ideal has become the topic of many a conversation and prayer as we watch our nation tread the tumultuous waters of our nation's economic crisis.

And while the economic climate was the not the catalyst for my husband's desire to begin looking for a new position in ministry, it was on the list of "things to ponder". Upon visiting Beaver, we realized that relocating would not only be a wonderful professional move for George, but would also give us a bit more breathing room in the pocket book.

More to give. More to save. More to pay off debt.

Upon this realization, cost of living was bumped closer to the top of the list. We feel called to minister at this new church. The cost of living, however, is a nice perk.

My friend Angie, over at Missional Family, wrote an interesting post about making tough financial choices, one of which being to think about downsizing one's home. She and her husband have actually put their current home on the market and are planning to buy a smaller place. Who thinks this way? Seriously?

Well, Angie does. And she's cool.

I tend to think about moving "up". Apartment. Check. Condo. Check. Starter house. Check. Larger house. Ch-

Um, "Check, please."

I've changed my mind.

While we are moving to a city where the cost of living is considerably less than Evanston, IL, we sense caution as we look at homes in what is to be our new neighborhood. Sure, we could opt for the new construction home with the enormous great room, master suite, all new appliances, and a comparable or slightly less mortgage then we have now, but we have decided to go a different route on our road to thriftiness.

Why?

To lessen the overall financial strain and pressure that I think about everyday. Everyday. Did I mention that I think about our finances every day?

So, rather than the larger new home in the brand new subdivision, or the older home (that is still larger than our current home) in the area surrounding our new church, We have chosen to go with . . .

Location, location, location.

We are praying that God would lead us to an affordable home in the borough of Beaver, rather than in the neighboring townships, where, yes, we could get more house, for extremely reasonable prices. So, what gives?

What doesn't it give? Affordable housing + the ability to walk to a coffee shop, to the library, to the farmer's market, to the post office, to the - well, you get it.

Living in Highwood for 8 years and then Evanston for 10 has turned me into a walker. When we lived in our apartment and following that, our condo, we would walk to the lake for a jog, walk to shops, walk to the park, and walk to the drug store that was up the street at that time.

The location of our current home doesn't really give us that option, other than a quick jaunt to the 7-11 (for a V-8 Fusion fix), TJ Maxx (for a "please let me shop for clothing by myself" fix), and the bank (boring fix). We still make it work, somewhat, by driving to the church, parking, and then setting out on foot to run errands around town.

We simply like walking to town. And since this area of PA has things a bit more spread out, thus making two cars a necessity, we would like to retain a bit of our Highwood/Evanston flavors upon relocating. We are glad that doing so is actually an option!

For us, this means living in the borough. This also means we will most likely have an older home. A smaller home. We will either be downsizing or maintaining our current size of a home. Yes, I would LOVE a master bathroom. Perhaps, if we find something that is priced so very reasonably that we still have money left over, we can put one in. Master baths and good closet space are not typical for the homes we are viewing.

But for us, bigger isn't necessarily better.

I'd prefer a home with an emotional breathing room.

If moving to Beaver means that we can buy a less expensive home, pay off debt (and work towards living debt-free - for this is our goal), and make a fresh financial start with how we both view and use our finances, then I'll take a bold step and walk into that town.

With my children, my husband, and my dog.

Ever thought about it?

Have you prayed about a bold move?

Thrift was never more necessary in the world's history than it is today. ~Francis H. Sisson

Thrifty Thursday: Timber Creek Farms

It's something that I've wanted to do for some time now, but could never get my act together to put into motion. The idea of it jumped from one "To Do" list to another "To Do" list. Never making it off the list.

Thankfully, a girlfriend of mine investigated and jumped on the band wagon asking me to come along.

A year ago, we abolished purchasing and consuming the majority of pre-packaged snack foods (cookies, chips, gummy "fruit" snacks, etc.) in order to create a healthier kitchen and save money. Thus, our kitchen is now stocked with fruits and vegetables and the kids know that they never need to ask permission before grabbing a piece of fruit for a snack. And yes, Zane, you can dunk your apple in Nutella, as I'm down with hazelnut goodness if it means getting an apple into you.

So, now as we continue along the path to thriftiness, I find myself having to restock the fruits and vegetables weekly because we run out so quickly. And if we don't get the chance to restock, which does happen on occassion, we find ourselves having nothing, nada, zip, in the produce department of our kitchen. It's either this scenario or the opposite: pitching produce that has gone bad due to overbuying. This is wasteful on so many different levels: throwing away food, throwing away money, and throwing away time. I also tend to purchase the exact same varieties of fruits and vegetables every week. Boring.

Enter Timber Creek Farms: delivering tasty and organic foods to your home! The Farmer's Market Box costs $49.14 a week. We have agreed to split a box of produce with our friends. Thus, for $24.57 we will be receiving half of the following every week: (this is an example)

3# Bag of Red Delicious Apples
3# Bag Pears
3# Bananas
12 Tangerines
½ Gallon Apple Cider
2 Pie Pumpkins
1# Okra
1# Green Beans
1# Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
5# Bag Red Potatoes
1 Bunch Celery
½# Parsnips
1 Head Romaine
1 Bunch Broccoli
2 Cucumbers
1 Bunch Carrots
½# Mushrooms
1 Bunch Collards
1 Bunch Beets

Timber Creek also provides recipes for the items in your box. So, you needn't be worried about what to do with that bunch of collards.

This setup will help our family by:

1. Insuring that we have produce in the house every week.
2. Decreasing waste from overbuying produce and chucking it when we fail to use it!
3. Encouraging our family to try new produce and recipes.
   

Think about it. $100 a month towards produce is a pretty good deal for a family of 4. Organic, no less. Usually, I can not afford organic, locally grown produce from Whole Foods, (although I splurge for organic apples), so this is the next best step. I'll track our total grocery bill in February and see if this helps to decrease the overall monthly bill.

Tip of the week:

• Do a Google search to see if you have any local farms in your area who offer a similar program for produce and other grocery needs.
  
• Then, if you need to save on costs, go "co-op" with another family.

By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. ~Agesilaus

Thrifty Thursday: Debut Post

Yes, you can save money in unique ways. Welcome to Thrifty Thursday!

Swap-O-Rama
My Moms R Us group had a spontaneous "Swap-o-rama" this week. This brilliant idea by my co-empress, April Hedman, proved to be an incredible opportunity for the mom's in my Monday morning bible study to rid their homes of items they no longer needed, (a nice post-Christmas purge), and to take any items from someone else that they found useful. It was Freecycle without the computer, or stipulation that you must offer an item in order to take another. We just set everything up like a garage sale and had everyone take what they wanted. I brought a huge box of stuff to give away and was told, gently, by my husband, to bring it home empty. Oops.

One friend even ended up with a pair of barely worn Dansko's. That is a serious find, my friends, as you can't get those shoes for under $100.

Yes, anything left over had to be carted away by the owner, but it was worth every penny not spent.

Zane ended up with:

• A Lands End spring coat
  
• A pair of size 13 rain boots (he's an 11-12 right now)
• 2 pairs of 4T shorts
  
• Small transformers which became potty training prizes
• A pirate ship and pirate action figures to be wrapped up for his birthday this weekend

I paid nothing. And had a great time with my girlfriends.

Unique Thrift Store
I am completely inept at blow drying my bangs straight. I know, I have curly hair, why am I wasting my time attempting to straighten my bangs? Well, hey, we're not discussing that issue.

I have wanted a straightening iron for awhile, but wasn't willing to spend $30 on it. So, while dropping off the remainder of my stuff from the Swap-O-Rama at Unique Thrift Store, I stumbled upon a straightening iron for $2.99. We plugged it in at the store to make sure it worked. Voila. Straight bangs. Did I mention it was $2.99? I was in CVS today to pick up some sale items, and found the same brand of my straightening iron priced at $29.99. I think I got a deal.

Zane's Star Wars Birthday Party
Birthdays are hard. You want to indulge your child and his or her friends. Zane is having 5 little buddies over on Saturday night for pizza - not takeout - but rather, frozen Target brand pizza. The boys are 3 and 4. They so don't need Gigio's or La Rosa's. Pizza: $4.00.

George is making the cake based off of a picture I found on Google. The cake mix was $1.00. The frosting was $1.29. Darth Vader will be made with frosting and a bag of chocolate chips. The entire cake will cost us $6.00.

The table will have a black tablecloth with silver shred sprinkled on it. I also got plates and napkins. All from the $1.00 store. We have cups and forks. $4.00 total.

Goodie Bags. I am using some blue gift bags that were given to me as a gift. So, no money spent there. Ok, I splurged and got each kid an inflatable light saber to use in battling the bubble asteroids at $5.00 a piece ($30). But, the remainder of their bag includes: A sheet of stickers. I stumbled on a pack of 700 (yes, 700) Star Wars stickers for $3.00 at Target (bent box), a jar of bubbles (6 jars for $1.00), and a glow stick so that they can see while out in the galaxy (12 for $2.00). Total for goody bags: $36.00 (divided among 6 kids).

So let's add this up . . . free pirate ship, $4.00 for pizza, $6.00 cake, $4.00 for tableware, $36.00 spent on goodie bag items (so $6.00 a kid).

Total spent for Zane's party: $50

I couldn't stomach purchasing Star Wars plates, and cups, and tableware that would just get thrown away. Zane will have a great time eating pizza and cake, battling the asteroids, and trying to blow up the Death Star (our version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey).

So, I would say it was a wonderful thrifty week.

I've saved the best for last! Here's my BEST OF THE BEST for the week:

Paperback Swap
And this, my friends, is the best site I've found in a long while. Paperback Swap has enabled me to get 7 new, (to me), books by only spending the cost of media mail to ship a book to someone else.

Gather up all those paperback (and hard cover) books that you have finished reading and really don't need to hang on to. Are you really going to read that James Patterson or John Grisham book again? Doubt it. Go to Paperback Swap, create an account, and list those books on your "bookshelf". After putting 10 books on your shelf, you automatically earn 2 credits. Go shopping! Redeem those credits for books that you would like sent to you from the bookshelves of other members! Books "cost" 1 credit, unless otherwise specified.

I have spent roughly $12.00 shipping my own books to members of Paperback Swap. I earned 2 free credits for signing up. I redeemed those quickly, and got my 2 books. And since that time I have also had requests for books on my shelf to be "purchased", with credits, by other members. When the member receives the book, I get another credit. Of which, currently, I have 5!

Do the math. Once I choose my next selections I will have received a total of 7 books for $1.70 each. I can't "buy" books quickly enough! I pay more than this in library fines, so Paperback Swap is a great deal for me. Plus, when I am done reading, I'll re-list the book and wait for someone else to request it, thus insuring me another book. That is, unless I want to keep it. No returning it to the owner.

It's book recycling at it's best. Try it!

• Swap goods with your friends.

• Hit the thrift stores. They can be overwhelming, so for your first go, perhaps make a list of treasures you would like to find. Like that straightening iron.
  

• Get creative with your child's birthday party. 3 and 4 year old boys do not need a full spread.
  

• Paperback Swap. 'Nough said.
  

He who does not economize will have to agonize. ~Confucius

Aesop Got It Right

"It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow."

Oh, Aesop, you are so very wise.

And with this quote I offer up to you my first weekly installment of "Thrifty Thursdays".

In order to insure that I post at least once a week, and as a means of communicating to those of you who are amazed at how I am able to find, what our family calls "treasures", at various resale and consignment shops (and sometimes getting things absolutely FREE), and wonder how I find the deals I do (I rarely, rarely pay full price for anything), I have decided to begin posting "Thrifty Thursdays."

Thrifty? What does that mean? It seems to connote second hand, right? Well, not exactly.
Read the definition of thrifty for yourself:

1. Practicing or marked by the practice of thrift; wisely economical.
   
2. Industrious and thriving; prosperous.
3. Growing vigorously; thriving, as a plant.

I have always looked at thrifty as being, well, cheap, because one had no other choice. Constantly struggling to make ends meet, and yet having to be content with living paycheck to paycheck. Just getting by. Always scrounging. Accepting one's situation for what it is and settling for shopping at Family Dollar.

I was wrong.

The definition describes thrifty in a very active way. Words such as "industrious" and "prosperous" and "vigorous" are not normally used to describe someone who feels stuck in their circumstances, and thus gives up. No, this definition opened my eyes to thrifty being a verb. It reveals thriftiness as being a means to propel one forward to a more sound (wise) and even healthier (thriving) state. I've never contemplated that being thrifty could also be equated with being industrious and prosperous, or that it could provide vigorous growth and a ticket out of the monthly crunch or the paralytic state of "I guess this is all there is."

I just thought I was saving a buck here and there.

When, in actuality, saving a buck is small potatoes compared to what thriftiness actually offers. Merely saving a buck doesn't make me feel industrious or prosperous. I'm missing something.

I must be setting my goals too low. Rather than just saving a dime or two, I would rather experience the industrious, prosperous, and vigorous growth that being thrifty can afford me. No, I don't expect to strike it rich. I just expect to lessen the financial straps that are binding me. One, by making new choices with our money. And two, by feeling released from the mental and emotional pressure because I am following number one. The result? A more relaxed environment in our home where money isn't the key to all things good. For it isn't. And by being industrious in making a few tweaks to the family budget, I am certain we will find a healthier prosperity (which involves so much more than just cash), and experience vigorous growth in so many ways. We waste a ton of money. We aren't frivolous spenders, and yet, by making new choices (on where we shop, how we shop, and deciding when and if we actually need to shop) I bet we will see that we actually have more than we thought. More to give. More to save. More for emergencies. I just think we can be smarter spenders.

So, each Thursday, I'll share my journey. I'll share my treasure hunts, money-saving ideas, websites that have inspired me and will hopefully will spur you on to make new choices with your finances. I'll share brainstorms, ideas, and specifics about where I shop, and where I find the best deals.

It's Thrifty Thursdays. And Mondays, and Tuesdays, and, well, you get it.