What Did You Do Frugal Today? September 2009

[Denahowy]

Frugal here, not spending money except for things we need or birthday gifts. As we have 3 birthdays this month, two on the same day and one 3 days later. Then next month is my son's birthday. Then before we know it we shopping for Christmas. I always tell the kids if they don't get something for their birthday there is always Christmas. Anyway, I made a homemade beaded key chain, using a left over key ring I had, also made a key chain out a cute butterfly earring that had no mate anymore. Those will be two gifts for my daughter's birthday on Sept. 4th. I think she will like them as well as the other things we bought her. Oh, the other day I made earrings out of two matching smaller monkey key chains, just replaced the key ring part with french hooks for dangling earrings. Also took a larger monkey key chain and took key ring off of it and made a matching necklace using an extra chain I had. So my daughter will have a pair of monkey earrings and matching monkey necklace. Thought they were fun and whimsical and she well enjoy them. Also got her a blue key chain writing pen, so she always has a pen if she has her purse, as she can attach it to it. Also got her a purple pair of clog shoes, as she wanted a pair and I found the last pair they had our local Dollar General. She will be happy about that, other big item was a new fitted sheet for her bed, it matches a pillowcase she already has and her curtains in her bedroom. Also got her a curling iron of her own. Before she was using my curling iron. So now she has her own curling iron and blow dryer, as I got her a blow dryer of her own awhile back. Even got the blow dryer clearanced at a thrift store, so it was like a dollar or two. The other items were just small hair accessories. Like cute ponytail holders and a headband. While there I also picked up my son a new school bag for this year, he will get it on his birthday, it is messenger style bag in blue and white, also got him a 1000 piece puzzle too. He likes to put together puzzles, so I know he will enjoy it. It was on clearance and so was the school bag, so saved on those for my son's birthday. The school bag was only $5 and the puzzle was pretty cheap, I like clearance aisles/ clearance racks/clearance bins. You can sure save some money. The school bag had been $10, so half off is really good. Daughter style has a good bag, but might buy some more school bags while they are on sale some time so they have extra for the next few years. I try to do that stock up on things they use when they are on sale. Anyway, saved more money for now, gave my daughters old white tennis shoes/sneakers to my son, so won't have to purchase him some right away. They were white and had a tiny bit of light blue on them. So I took peramanent marker and made the blue areas black. He then decided to wear them. They shoes are good, just daughter couldn't wear them anymore. It is starting to get colder here, so it will keep his feet warm. He didn't want the same sneakers he had before, when we looked at the store, so now He can wait until we go further to another store and find him some more shoes. It also saves us on gas in the car. As we would have to go to another town to get him other shoes. Our local stores don't carry much shoes in his size, so they all sell out quickly. Anyway, resusing what we can and give away what at we can't to others, like friends and family and their kids. Made more room in the kids dressers and closets. Which is always a plus. Also reorganizing the garage and moving the kids bikes to the storage building instead of the garage.

[bluebird]

Good morning gals. I am feeling better this morning. I am hoping yesterday was the 'dying off' stage where you feel worse but in fact are getting better. I am so thankful dd didn't get sick! I am also thankful for a holistic doctor who will allow me to start out with natural healing. I was told if I get worse I will have to take antibiotics.

I have grown stevia but started ordering it from mountainroseherbs.com . That is the best place to buy herbs.

Yesterday I got caught up on the zucchini. I think I put another 20 bags in the freezer. I baked chocolate zucchini bread using dark cocoa powder and half the sugar. Yummy.

Dd is getting used to online college. She is changing one class. This isn't going to be easy on her. I know she is concerned what will happen if she has a flare. Bottom line is in the real world we have to learn to cope not matter what our health is like. She will too. We are still praying that SSI will come in. We have one more year to pay on the Stuie loans.

A co worker of dh's gave us water. I didn't realize how nasty the water would taste after it was treated. We will be getting cooking and drinking water from him until the ecoli is cleared up. I am the sixth person to get e coli, in a town of 380 really that is good odds considering all the older people in town.

[Lislyn66]

Goodness Denahowy, you've been a busy bee haven't you? Love your ideas and your nose for bargains.

Connie, I'm happy to hear you're feeling better.

Have been sitting here thinking about Christmas. Gonna be a lean one this year I believe but, the kids will be ok. I've been keeping my eyes open for something part time as well, haven't seen anything that would fall into the day/time category I need with me working days. I'll keep on looking.

I did call the IRS yesterday. I'd received a letter from them saying they had a check for me and the ex husband from 2002 (when we were still married) for $24 and some change. I called and advised them that he is in arrears and it is thru the State of IL, they could send it to the State and they'd just send it to me. The IRS doesn't want to mess with that, they are sending me the check, of course it will have both of our names on it. He will have to sign it, good luck on that regard. I will send a copy to the Atty General just to let them know that I received it and they can apply that little bit to the arrearage. Don't want to be accused of doing something underhanded.

Well, was checking in. Hope everyone is having a good morning!

Lisa

[Denahowy]

Thanks, Lisa, I try to save money where ever I can. I guess my parents taught me well about that. Since they had 4 daughters. I'm the oldest. They some how always managed to give us all we needed. Even when Dad was laid off in the winter a lot of times. Now I manage to take care of my kids and save money enough that it is just hubby working and our kids have all they need. I know how you feel I tried looking for a part time job, but never really have found much when looking. Also, I figure I have plenty of time to work, so oh well, just a little less money coming in, no biggie. Lisa sorry to hear money is so tight. I know you can make it work though. From one mother to another we always take care of our kids even if we have little ourselves. I think I can spot a good deal a mile away. I am a creative type and always using my brain to make and create things or save money where I can. I try to repurpose things too. Like for instance I repurposed my old spinning spice rack with jars for storing beads and small crafting items. It works great and didn't have to buy a spinning craft caddy to store those items in. I reusing small plastic boxes for many things, the kind they sell cheap at the store for kids to use for back to school. Also to organize my towels in my guest bathroom I bought a sweater box and put towels in it so you can always find a towel and it is separate from my other things under the bathroom sink. It works great, could even buy one more and put in there. The sweater box was only $2.50. Not bad to organize the towels in that bathroom. Also if the sink every leaks the towels won't get soaked either. I once reused a key ring holder to hold kitchen utensils and also have used a an old mug rack to hold my daughter's necklaces. They work great for that. I think if you keep your eye out you can reuse or repurpose almost anything.

[OSI]

Well I've been busy making candles this morning... so far, Grandma's Kitchen, Grampa's Cookies and Warm Vanilla Sugar. I made a dozen. Ran out of countertop space, so will have to wait a bit for them to set up before I can do anymore. I have a idea for a new Cappucino... Iced Cappucino which will be peppermint and cappucino brule mixed. That should smell awesome!! and will let me use up some excess Peppermint oils, I ordered way too much last year.

I have to get dressed in "going to town" clothes here in a bit and get Windi's meds, and pick up hot sauce for dh.

Anna

[bluebird]

If your family likes books, look into www.paperbackswap.com . I have used the books we swap for birthday and Christmas gifts. If fact last year that was the main gifts, the free books. There wasn't enough money with dh on disability. I would like to buy a Wii for the family but I don't know that we will have the money. I will save what I can if we get it at Christmas great. If not we can buy it later. My kids are older and understand but it gets me down at times. There is a craft fair in Nov. We are thinking about putting together a table as a family. I think we have enough craft items here. The table is $30 I think. Good to get the kids out in the community too.

[wdwfreaks]

Good afternoon, ladies. Thanks for the well wishes. Still fell a little shaky but made myself get up and take a shower. Went to town today to deposit DDs insurance payment. She is still on our car insurance policy only we make her pay the difference of what is was before her car was added to now. She hates making that payment but it teaches her responsibility. Besides she's working and she wanted her car (which she's also paying on her own). Stopped by the local hardware to see if they fix window screens. They charge $13 per window. DH thinks I can get it done cheaper somewhere else. May check out the internet, I'm sure there's a way to do myself.
Came home folded the towels I washed yesterday and have a load of darks in now. Will hang them up outside today since it's nice and breezy. Maybe the fresh air will make me feel better as well. Dinner is still undecided as nothing sounds good to me right now. May just be a soup night as DH said he don't feel well today. I think his is more allergies or another cold. He's all plugged up and I never was.
Take care everyone, TTYL. Amy

[RobertaD]

Amy, I bought a screen repair kit at Kmart a couple years ago came with enough screen to do 2 windows and the wheel thing to push the rubber grouting back in. Then I flipped the storm windows/screen in the door so the dogs couldn't distroy the screen again!

I need to start dinner and put it in the crock pot for tonight since dd1 goes back to Children's this afternoon and I need to clear off the table.

Roberta

[wdwfreaks]

Roberta, thanks for the tip. There's a KMart at the end of the street of DHs work so I'll have him stop by and look. The screens need replaced bad. They have since we moved in ten years ago but that was always a job that got moved down the list. So where in Ohio are you from?
TTYL, Amy

[Lislyn66]

wdw, I've fixed my own screens the same way Roberta said, it's easy.

Lisa