Saving money can go beyond using coupons at the store. Finding great deals at the restaurants, watching for sales at the stores and so on. There is also great ways to decorate our homes on the thrift. I am a thrift store shopper and a garage sale lover, but tonight while wandering around on my normal blog reading I was directed to a crafty blog and the ideas this lady comes up are fantastic.
I will be adding a link to her blog on my sight so I remember to check her out again. Tonight I read how she made a bath mat out of wine corks and a lamp shade out of Tulle material. She sees these ideas in a magazine and then comes up with her own method.
Take a moment and read her posts. http://www.craftynest.com/
If you find any other sights that are similar I would love to hear from you.
I love unique ideas for my home, something that is different from everyone else .
Hope you enjoy ..
Thanks for stopping by... Lets keep saving together.. Grace
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Plans To Cut Our Food Budget For Next Two Months
We decided a couple of months ago to move from Texas to Minnesota to be near our children and grandchildren. It is costly to move cross country and we have been trying to save money as we can. We have less than two months left before the move and I am going to be trying to cut back on our food budget. I hope to be able to save about $300. in that time frame.
As I have shared before eating out is our big down fall and most costly expense. I will attempt to cut our budget from $125 a week by about a third and spread the $85.00 on food in and out of the home. This will include household items.
I will share with you my progress over the next 8 weeks. This will be a saving of $40.00 a week for a total of $320 into our moving budget.
Will be a good test of our commitment and if we do this, hopefully we will continue this behavior forward.
One manner to cut back is to not eat out any where I do not have a coupon and not spend money on any item we do not need for the next two months and of course using the coupons and shopping the deals as usual.
Another way to cut our costs is to eat more meals at home. Also when we cook at home we will plan menus that can be eaten twice or more..
If you would like to join me in the cut back project let me know. I read on Love Peace and Saving she will be cutting back in June also . Watch her progress also.
Thanks for stopping by... Lets keep saving together... Grace
As I have shared before eating out is our big down fall and most costly expense. I will attempt to cut our budget from $125 a week by about a third and spread the $85.00 on food in and out of the home. This will include household items.
I will share with you my progress over the next 8 weeks. This will be a saving of $40.00 a week for a total of $320 into our moving budget.
Will be a good test of our commitment and if we do this, hopefully we will continue this behavior forward.
One manner to cut back is to not eat out any where I do not have a coupon and not spend money on any item we do not need for the next two months and of course using the coupons and shopping the deals as usual.
Another way to cut our costs is to eat more meals at home. Also when we cook at home we will plan menus that can be eaten twice or more..
If you would like to join me in the cut back project let me know. I read on Love Peace and Saving she will be cutting back in June also . Watch her progress also.
Thanks for stopping by... Lets keep saving together... Grace
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Eating From The Pantry Challenge
Back in February I did a challenge along with others to eat from my pantry and not buy what I did not need that month unless it was a special deal and FREE or almost FREE.
I have decided it needs to be done again. We have chosen to move back to Minnesota near the shores of Lake Superior. Big difference from Texas. Instead of the horrible heat we will have the horrible winters.
With planning and saving we would like to leave Minnesota for about 3 months during the winters. Chances are slim the first winter but we have hopes and will plan and save towards that goal following years.
Most of our family is in Minnesota and I want to spend time reconnecting with my sons and 10 out of 13 grandchildren as I am a senior citizen even though I do not feel or act it. The other 3 grandchildren are on the east coast.
Our move will take place end of July. My pantry is full and I want to see it almost empty. Would be good to just buy as needed the last weeks before we move.
I do love a full pantry, almost an addiction with me.
Tonight I am making home made spaghetti and pulled out a box of spaghetti noodles, notice it was almost empty and panicked for a moment. Sure enough I had 2 more boxes. If you click on this link you will get my recipe. I think it is better than our local Italian recipe http://couponloversunite.blogspot.com/2009/06/as-much-as-i-love-to-go-out-to-eat.html
My challenge is to start with what I do have and buy what need to make a meal.
Did you do the pantry challenge in February, have you thought of giving it a try in the future. Join me if you would like I would love to hear from you. If you have a blog I would enjoy reading how you are doing...
My goals for the rest of the week is to list what is in the pantry and plan some menus around what I have.
I have decided it needs to be done again. We have chosen to move back to Minnesota near the shores of Lake Superior. Big difference from Texas. Instead of the horrible heat we will have the horrible winters.
With planning and saving we would like to leave Minnesota for about 3 months during the winters. Chances are slim the first winter but we have hopes and will plan and save towards that goal following years.
Most of our family is in Minnesota and I want to spend time reconnecting with my sons and 10 out of 13 grandchildren as I am a senior citizen even though I do not feel or act it. The other 3 grandchildren are on the east coast.
Our move will take place end of July. My pantry is full and I want to see it almost empty. Would be good to just buy as needed the last weeks before we move.
I do love a full pantry, almost an addiction with me.
Tonight I am making home made spaghetti and pulled out a box of spaghetti noodles, notice it was almost empty and panicked for a moment. Sure enough I had 2 more boxes. If you click on this link you will get my recipe. I think it is better than our local Italian recipe http://couponloversunite.blogspot.com/2009/06/as-much-as-i-love-to-go-out-to-eat.html
My challenge is to start with what I do have and buy what need to make a meal.
Did you do the pantry challenge in February, have you thought of giving it a try in the future. Join me if you would like I would love to hear from you. If you have a blog I would enjoy reading how you are doing...
My goals for the rest of the week is to list what is in the pantry and plan some menus around what I have.
I will officially start as tomorrow since my pay and budget week begins on Fridays.
Thanks for stopping by... Will do posts as I eat from my pantry.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
David Ramsey and the Legacy Drawer
The following was sent to me through and email from David Ramsey... I enjoy reading his books and listening to him on the radio. You can visit him at http://www.daveramsey.com/
Thought this was worth while sharing with you and printing out to share with my husband. It is now on my to do list in case something happens to either one of us or both of us.
Start A Legacy Drawer Part three in our series of getting your life organized is about the Legacy Drawer. If you've listened to Dave for any amount of time, you've heard him talk about the Legacy Drawer. So what is it?
Basically, it's a drawer that houses all of the important information your family needs in case something happens to you. Preparing for when you are no longer here is not a fun task, but it's crucial to do this for your family. Every household needs a Legacy Drawer. It doesn't matter if you're single with no kids or 76 and have 12 grandkids—you need a Legacy Drawer. It's the last gift you will give your family, so make it a good one. If you truly care about your loved ones, you will take the time to create a Legacy Drawer.
The drawer should be somewhere in your home and contain everything your spouse or family needs to know if you aren't around—anything that has to do with your financial life should be in that drawer. You must organize it in a way that anyone can find a specific document in 30 seconds. All files should be clearly marked, in order, and easy for a grieving family member to find. There's no need to go into extreme detail when creating your Legacy Drawer. Simply include the appropriate documents in an easy-to-understand format, and you're good to go! We recommend that your Legacy Drawer contain 11 things. Although it may seem daunting to gather all of this material together, you will be happy you did once the Legacy Drawer is created.
Cover Letter. This is simply a letter stating the purpose of the Legacy Drawer. Nothing fancy, just a way to introduce your loved ones to the contents of the drawer.
Will & Estate Plans. All information pertaining to your will and estate, including names of the executor and Power of Attorney should be located in one file.
Financial Accounts. Anything that has money in it and your name on it should be listed in the Legacy Drawer. This includes account names, amount and account numbers.
Funeral Instructions. All details and specifications for funeral plans should be listed so the family can fulfill your wishes. If you are married, you need one for you and one for your spouse.
Insurance Policies. All insurance information, including health, car, disability, term life, etc., should be combined into one single document for easy reference. List the type of insurance, who the policy is for, contact information and policy numbers.
Important Documents. Any legal or other important documents you have should be noted in the file. This includes deeds, birth certificates, Social Security cards and titles.
Legacy Letters. Since the intention behind the Legacy Drawer is to keep your legacy going after you've passed away, it's a great idea to include letters to your loved ones.
Monthly Budget. Add a copy of your written budget, so your spouse or loved ones know how to operate your household once you're gone. This will help your family keep track of bills and focus on more important things.
Tax Returns. Keeping tax returns in your Legacy Drawer is like an insurance policy for yourself in the event that you get audited from the IRS. Hopefully you never have to pull them out, but if you do, at least you are prepared.
Safe Deposit Box. Keep copies of all your Legacy Drawer papers in a safe deposit box—you can never be too careful. Include information in your Legacy Drawer on where your safe deposit box is and who has access to it.
Passwords. Write down all passwords, combinations, usernames and PIN numbers. This information allows your loved ones access to any documents, money or information that is left when you are gone.
If you put your mind to it, you can create your Legacy Drawer in 30 days! It's tedious to gather all of the documents and paperwork that goes into the drawer, but it's a necessary task in order to protect you and your family. Interested in learning more great ways to keep you and your family ahead of the game? Check out Financial Peace University, a 13-week course that teaches you about insurance, investments and preparing for the future. During April 5-12, a free FPU lesson will be open to anyone. Don't miss out on this great opportunity! Sign up today!
Hope that you enjoyed reading this and that you will give it some thought. Grace
Thought this was worth while sharing with you and printing out to share with my husband. It is now on my to do list in case something happens to either one of us or both of us.
Start A Legacy Drawer Part three in our series of getting your life organized is about the Legacy Drawer. If you've listened to Dave for any amount of time, you've heard him talk about the Legacy Drawer. So what is it?
Basically, it's a drawer that houses all of the important information your family needs in case something happens to you. Preparing for when you are no longer here is not a fun task, but it's crucial to do this for your family. Every household needs a Legacy Drawer. It doesn't matter if you're single with no kids or 76 and have 12 grandkids—you need a Legacy Drawer. It's the last gift you will give your family, so make it a good one. If you truly care about your loved ones, you will take the time to create a Legacy Drawer.
The drawer should be somewhere in your home and contain everything your spouse or family needs to know if you aren't around—anything that has to do with your financial life should be in that drawer. You must organize it in a way that anyone can find a specific document in 30 seconds. All files should be clearly marked, in order, and easy for a grieving family member to find. There's no need to go into extreme detail when creating your Legacy Drawer. Simply include the appropriate documents in an easy-to-understand format, and you're good to go! We recommend that your Legacy Drawer contain 11 things. Although it may seem daunting to gather all of this material together, you will be happy you did once the Legacy Drawer is created.
Cover Letter. This is simply a letter stating the purpose of the Legacy Drawer. Nothing fancy, just a way to introduce your loved ones to the contents of the drawer.
Will & Estate Plans. All information pertaining to your will and estate, including names of the executor and Power of Attorney should be located in one file.
Financial Accounts. Anything that has money in it and your name on it should be listed in the Legacy Drawer. This includes account names, amount and account numbers.
Funeral Instructions. All details and specifications for funeral plans should be listed so the family can fulfill your wishes. If you are married, you need one for you and one for your spouse.
Insurance Policies. All insurance information, including health, car, disability, term life, etc., should be combined into one single document for easy reference. List the type of insurance, who the policy is for, contact information and policy numbers.
Important Documents. Any legal or other important documents you have should be noted in the file. This includes deeds, birth certificates, Social Security cards and titles.
Legacy Letters. Since the intention behind the Legacy Drawer is to keep your legacy going after you've passed away, it's a great idea to include letters to your loved ones.
Monthly Budget. Add a copy of your written budget, so your spouse or loved ones know how to operate your household once you're gone. This will help your family keep track of bills and focus on more important things.
Tax Returns. Keeping tax returns in your Legacy Drawer is like an insurance policy for yourself in the event that you get audited from the IRS. Hopefully you never have to pull them out, but if you do, at least you are prepared.
Safe Deposit Box. Keep copies of all your Legacy Drawer papers in a safe deposit box—you can never be too careful. Include information in your Legacy Drawer on where your safe deposit box is and who has access to it.
Passwords. Write down all passwords, combinations, usernames and PIN numbers. This information allows your loved ones access to any documents, money or information that is left when you are gone.
If you put your mind to it, you can create your Legacy Drawer in 30 days! It's tedious to gather all of the documents and paperwork that goes into the drawer, but it's a necessary task in order to protect you and your family. Interested in learning more great ways to keep you and your family ahead of the game? Check out Financial Peace University, a 13-week course that teaches you about insurance, investments and preparing for the future. During April 5-12, a free FPU lesson will be open to anyone. Don't miss out on this great opportunity! Sign up today!
Hope that you enjoyed reading this and that you will give it some thought. Grace
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Decorating The Thrifty Way
I was in need of some new chair cushions, mine were faded and falling apart from being on the deck in California. I had to go to Walmart to pick up medicine and while heading to the cards to pick up a birthday card for granddaughter Dani I spotted these cushions. They have pretty colorful roosters on them and I collect roosters. My love of chickens and roosters started years ago.
My only memory of my patenal grandfather Perry was visiting him in Washington state. I got up early every day and would help him collect eggs. One day about 25 years ago I went to an estate sale and spotted a matching rooster and chicken. I had to buy them, since then I have bought a couple more plus my cookie jar is a rooster and makes a lot of noise when I take off the lid.
Well back to Walmart, they had 4 cushions and a matching table cloth, plus matching place mats. So here is my pretty new table cloth and chair cushions and in the kitchen my small appliances rest on pretty place mats. They were on sale at $9.00 each ,the table cloth was marked down to $5.00 and the placemates were $1.50 each on sale. Total $44.00 plus tax out of pocket.
I need to move a few things around so there are pretty dishes and my chickens on the book case behind the table. The collection of books will go on another bookcase.
So the old chair cushions are gone, except for the one Spooky the cat lays on.
What are you doing to decorate your home on a budget. Would love to hear your ideas.
Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together... Grace
My only memory of my patenal grandfather Perry was visiting him in Washington state. I got up early every day and would help him collect eggs. One day about 25 years ago I went to an estate sale and spotted a matching rooster and chicken. I had to buy them, since then I have bought a couple more plus my cookie jar is a rooster and makes a lot of noise when I take off the lid.
Well back to Walmart, they had 4 cushions and a matching table cloth, plus matching place mats. So here is my pretty new table cloth and chair cushions and in the kitchen my small appliances rest on pretty place mats. They were on sale at $9.00 each ,the table cloth was marked down to $5.00 and the placemates were $1.50 each on sale. Total $44.00 plus tax out of pocket.
I need to move a few things around so there are pretty dishes and my chickens on the book case behind the table. The collection of books will go on another bookcase.
So the old chair cushions are gone, except for the one Spooky the cat lays on.
What are you doing to decorate your home on a budget. Would love to hear your ideas.
Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together... Grace
75 Frugality Blogs
This should make for some great reading . Go to this link and from there you can find 75 blogs that could change your life.
http://www.accountingdegree.com/blog/2010/75-frugality-blogs-that-will-change-your-life/
Thanks $1200 Frugal Challenge 2009 for the heads up on this one..
Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together.. Grace
http://www.accountingdegree.com/blog/2010/75-frugality-blogs-that-will-change-your-life/
Thanks $1200 Frugal Challenge 2009 for the heads up on this one..
Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together.. Grace
Monday, March 8, 2010
Menu Plan For Week .. What's For Dinner
Menu Plan For Week .. What's For Dinner
Monday Family Style Pizza
Tuesday left overs from last couple nights ( I have to work late at seasonal job)
Wednesday .. dinner out with friend visiting from California
Thursday Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
Friday .. dinner out ( going to a book signing )
Saturday ... Our Special home made Chili
Sunday ... Sunday dinner with family after church
We will have a few dinners out this week so I plan to make do with what I have in house with out buying to many groceries.
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