Thrifty Thursday #14

One of my favorite things to do is save money, whether that's using coupons and match ups, earning free money (not the scam kind of free money, but real free money), selling items on eBay, finding a good deal, or winning an awesome giveaway.

I am definitely saving the most money right now by couponing and shopping according to what's on sale. This makes my meal planning a little more complex, but is definitely worth it in the end. I buy in bulk. I don't clear the grocer's shelves or anything like that, but I stockpile. And because I do that, I usually will prepare meats in marinades and freeze them so dinner is easy during the week. I am fortunate enough to have the shelving space in the basement, as well as the deep freeze. I HATE buying things at full price, but it's inevitable on items such as fresh produce and milk sometimes. I'd say, that for the most part, I am getting most of our things (food, toiletries, etc.) on sale and discounted. Yahoo! BUT I know I could still do better. I could buy more Sunday papers, order specific coupons either through eBay or a coupon clipping service, and shop in other grocery stores besides just Kroger. I'll get there. But right now, I think I'm doing OK.

Another way I am being thrifty is by earning free money online. If you have never heard of, or you are not using, SwagBucks, you really should sign up. Swagbucks is an online search engine that rewards you for searching the Internet.



Seriously, I just downloaded their toolbar, made them my homepage, and started using them as I would have google. Some searches earn Swagbucks, and some don't. And sometimes they giveaway free codes for bucks. At this moment, I have enough swagbucks to earn multiple gift cards to different places. Personally, I will continue to use Swagbucks to earn gift cards for Christmas shopping. It's a way for me to be frugal. If you'd like to sign up, you'll instantly get 30 free swagbucks to start you on your money saving journey.

I also earn FREE money through something called YouData. Through YouData, you fill out an extensive questionnaire about your likes. Then according to your preferences, you'll see ads. Click those ads to get paid. The advertisers are paying you to look at their products - the products you've said you're interested in. The money you earn gets sent directly to your paypal account every Friday. It's not a huge money maker, but in my book, every penny earned helps and every penny saved adds up. I use my paypal money to make purchases online, and since most of the money in my account was either earned through YouData or selling on eBay, in my book, it's FREE money.

And lastly, I help save my family money and remain frugal by entering giveaways hosted by other blogs. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I don't. For me, I enjoy reading the blogs I'm subscribed to, and if they're offering a giveaway on a product I'm interested in, bonus! So far, I have won a pair of Lee Jeans through their Facebook fan page, a box of goodies from Japan from Our Imperfect Life, an awesome cookbook from CouponingFor4 called Don't Panic - Dinner's In The Freezer, and a DVD called Splish! Splosh! Splash! Thomas and Friends from Frugal Mom Knows Best. I desperately needed a new pair of jeans, WC adores Thomas, and I love having made meals in the freezer.

Well, this is what I do to try to save our hard earned dollars and stretch them as far as they can be stretched. If you know of more ways I can save, please share! I'd love to hear how you are saving you and your family money.

Wednesday Wishes #11

I really wish that AZ would have gotten into the 4 year old 3-day morning class at preschool. So, since she didn't, she'll go to the afternoon classes - unless we get a call for being on the waiting list. I'm making a wish that whatever class she ends up in, that it's the right one for her and our family.

I wish that allergies weren't so bothersome. Ugh! But I wish the weather could stay this nice forever. I'm really enjoying all the walks I'm taking with the kids.

I wish people were nicer to one another. It's amazing how rude and unkind some people can be.

At this very moment, I wish that my son would STOP putting a blanket over his head and walking around. He just ran into the wall (unharmed). And I wish he'd stop spitting. And keep his clothes on. And take longer naps.

Couponing For 4 is hosting a giveaway for a $25 gift card to Kroger. I hope I win this, not only because it'll save us $25, but it'll totally raise my percentage saved on the receipt! :) The last few times I've been grocery shopping, I've saved at least 40%, so I'm rockin' it. And it looks like Coupon Clippin' Mommy, Cincinnati Cents , and The Mommy-Files are also hosting a giveaway for a $25 Kroger gift card. I really want in on these! :)

And while I'm entering giveaways, I couldn't resist the giveaway by Stay@HomeMomWhoKnew. I have entered to win a WanChai Ferry "Perfect Night In" prize pack consisting of a free entree, bowls, chopsticks, bamboo place mats, and fortune cookies. In addition, there's a $25 Target gift card. This sounds like the perfect (and thriftier) alternative to ordering in!

And I wish the kids would stay this snuggly, lovey, ticklish, and giggly forever. I adore when their laughter fills our house.

Post It Note Tuesday #8

Post It Notes provided by Supah Mommy.

The Room of my Princess' Dreams

Look at my pretty girl's pretty room! It's actually been done quite a while now, but I'm just now getting to the pictures and post. Her walls are two different shades of pink - can you tell it's her favorite color? And I painted different sized and different colored circles all over them. That's paint, no decals here. I would have done decals if the husband let me, but he is strongly opposed to sticking things like that to the walls. Oh well. I think her room turned out perfectly for her. Above her bed are handmade letters spelling out her name and the butterflies on the walls are made of nylon. Looks like perfection to me!

Not liking how I can't format these pictures the way I wanted. Hope it doesn't bug you the way it does me.

Dipping My Toes into the Decorating/Design World

I recently received a sewing machine as a gift from my MIL, and I am so excited for all the possibilities that it brings. I'm looking forward to all the kids clothing and home projects I can make. And I just finished my very first sewing project last night.

Look at these pillows!
I know, I know. Four straight lines and hand stitched closed isn't too difficult, but I'm so proud of myself. I was able to get the fabric and pillow forms on sale for 40-50% off, I can't remember which, and I had an additional 20% off coupon. And $35 for two 20x20 pillows is a great price - I think.

The pillows are for my bedroom, which is slowly coming together. I haven't made a headboard yet, but imagine the red/burgundy color for that. I am actually thinking of buying another panel of the curtains and using that for the headboard material. What do you think?
So, we're slowly getting there. I need a couple of yellow candles for the sconces on the curtained wall. And opposite the curtains is a large blank wall above a long dresser. I'm thinking of getting a large oval mirror (framed in black) to hang above there, with a lamp on each side of that.

And speaking of lamps, the ones we have now do not go in this room. I may put them on the dresser to flank the mirror for now - that is until I redecorate our piano/sewing room or guest bedroom. I'd like either lamps or hanging lights like this for the bedside tables.
What do you think? I love doing this decorating thing! And I'm LOVING my room. Any pointers on making an awesome headboard?

Colorado Pens is a RUDE RUDE RUDE company to deal with!

For all the mommy bloggers out there - I saw this on Frugal Mom Knows Best. I cannot believe that a professional company acted in such a rude manner towards someone who was trying to PROMOTE their company. I am astounded by this man's behavior, and I wanted to share it with everyone I can.

Thankful Thursday #1

My first Thankful Thursday. Some Thursdays will be sincere thanks, some will be sarcastic, and some will be a combination of the two. So here goes:

Thank you, God, for me being born in the United States of America. And thank you for all the opportunities that brings to me and my family. Thank you for me being born when I was born. Plumbing, electricity, and modern technology are such blessings. Thank you for allowing me to know what it is to suffer so that I will not take for granted and so that I know what it is to enjoy and delight in everything. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for giving your son to us. Thank you for my husband, children, family, and friends. Thank you for my husband's job, our working vehicles, our home, our food, our community. Thank you for our trials and the lessons learned from them. Thank you for music and rainbows and beauty and nature. Thank you for LIFE. Thank you for choices. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you, husband, for loving me and being there for me no matter what. Thank you for the opportunity to stay home with our children. Thank you for bringing me happiness and joy. Thank you for marrying me and giving me two of the most beautiful children on the planet. Thank you for your patience and your hard work. Thank you for your dedication to our family and your loyalty to our lives together. Thank you for being my partner and being on my team.

Thank you, AZ and WC, for loving me every single day and letting me start over each morning. Thank you for quickly forgiving me when I lose my temper or forget that you're just kids. Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for your innocence and laughter. Thank you for your existence.

Thank you family for being my family and making me who I am. I love you all down to my core.

Thank you to my close friends. Thank you for being there for me and being so much fun. Thank you for your friendship!

Thank you, William Graham Bell, for the invention of the telephone. My life would suck without your genius!

Thank you to the people who read my blog. I love knowing that I'm 'connecting' with people.

And I have to throw in a sarcastic one (or two) - THANK YOU, son, for getting sick and forcing us to cancel our trip to GA to see Mommy's family - the family I only get to see once or twice a year. Mommy is SO sad. :(

THANK YOU, to moi, for being one of the very lucky few to have Group B Strep.

Wednesday Wishes #10

My 1st wish this week is to be completely healthy and for my family to also be equally healthy!

I wish the next couple of weeks go by really quickly so that I can go see my sister. :)

I also wish to win a giveaway hosted by The Coupon Scoop. She is giving away a two pack of Kleen Slate Concepts, and AZ would enjoy those immensely! And for my nephew, I'd like to win the book Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy since he's so into dragons at the moment, also hosted by The Coupon Scoop.

I also entered a giveaway from She Saved for the cutest pillowcase dresses on the planet! I am hoping to win one for AZ. Aren't they the sweetest little things??

And yay for my wishes that have come true! And they do! :)

Post It Note Tuesday #7

Post It Notes provided by Supah Mommy.

The Value of Family

Mondays. Never the best day of the week, that's for sure. Well this Monday may just take the cake...

I live about 11 hours away from most of my family. I get to see them maybe once or twice a year, and I was SO excited about our trip that was supposed to be this week. Unfortunately, my 2 year old came down with strep throat and croup. And he just had strep two weeks ago. Poor little guy. And poor me. I must have cried rivers when I realized that we couldn't make our drive down to Georgia. I was so close to being able to see my family, my family whose distance makes my heart ache. I was so close. And I miss them soooooo much!

Living so far away from my family leaves my heart in pieces, and it's never whole until I see them. And it makes me want to teach my children the value of family, the importance of having family near by, and to remember to not take it for granted.

So, do me a favor today. Tell your family you love them. Hug them. Talk with them. Spend time with them. For me.