It has been almost 2 weeks since my 17 year old daughter brought home the H1N1 illness to the house. It swept through our three teen agers, one boy friend and myself. My husband was the only one that didn't get it but he may have been vaccinated back in the 70's. I am still not recovered but everyone else is doing fine. I am on day 3 of acute laryngitis. Hopefully, I will be back to normal by Monday since I am giving a presentation at the North East Library on Tuesday at 6 pm!
Being ill with colds, flu, stomach bugs, etc. can be frugal! I have found that we do nothing that costs money like shop for things or go out for entertainment purposes. We have saved some serious money by being sick. However, our running out to purchase quick food options and sick room supplies eats up any cost savings from not going out to shop. I decided that with a bit of planning, being sick need not take its toll on your budget as well as your body. Here is a list of things that you can do in advance to be ready for the inevitable winter illnesses.
1. Keep over the counter medications on hand. Always have the family's favorite cold remedies, anti-diarrheal medications, and fever relievers on hand all winter long. Don't wait to run out before buying more. I use generic medications and purchase them at Wal-Mart. Next week I will make sure they are in my shopping cart so I can replenish the supply.
2. Keep a store of tissues on hand. Same as above. Always have 3-6 boxes as back up in the cabinets.
3. Keep a supply of frozen meals for those nights when adults are too sick to cook. You can defrost a home-made, previously frozen dinner in the morning. This will keep the calls out for pizza to a minimum.
4. Canned soup or frozen, small portions of home-made soup, should be kept on hand. We go through a surprising number of Ramen noodle packages as well as a pot of chicken noodle soup (also referred to as "Jewish penicillin" in our family!) when we get sick.
5. Hide away a few bottles of ginger ale or 7up when they go on sale. Inevitably, someone will come down with a stomach ailment and not be able to drink anything but clear sodas.
6. If there is an adult that is able to, hit the library for DVD's and books. Especially for kids, this can make lying on the couch, feeling terrible, much more bearable.
Hope this helps you to get through your winter illnesses in a frugal fashion.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
“You Buy Cheap, You Get Cheap!”
This is one of the famous sayings of my college boyfriend’s grandpa. (The other famous saying we don’t mention in polite company!) Over the years I have found that Grandpa B. was correct. It is often better to spend money on a good product than to buy a cheap product.
I found this to be true when I landed a great deal on a pot and pan set from a major retailer. This huge set with 7 pots and pans and 5 utensils to go with them, ended up being about $49 after I bought it with coupons, etc. I returned them in 10 weeks and got my money back (always keep that receipt!). They ended up being terrible. For no stick cookware, they had a huge amount of blackened crud on them. The clerk told me that they get many sets returned.
When the clerk gave me my cash, I bought a set of well known cookware, on sale, and about twice what I paid for the original set. However, the difference is that several years later we are still using these pots and pans (except for the one that my husband burned to a crisp when I was out of town).
I bought cheap, I got cheap. It pays to buy a good brand but at a reduced price. Buying garbage is annoying and, often, you must replace the junk more often. Buying quality goods for a cheaper price is better than buying cheap goods for a cheap price.
I did find out that the cook ware set that I bought to replace the garbage set was also available at Big Lots for about $50, which is about $50 less than I paid for it. After I found that out and kicked myself, I decided that I needed to remember that for the future. So, buy good cook ware at a great price at Big Lots in the future. And buy quality goods, take care of them and you will end up paying less than if you bought cheap.
I found this to be true when I landed a great deal on a pot and pan set from a major retailer. This huge set with 7 pots and pans and 5 utensils to go with them, ended up being about $49 after I bought it with coupons, etc. I returned them in 10 weeks and got my money back (always keep that receipt!). They ended up being terrible. For no stick cookware, they had a huge amount of blackened crud on them. The clerk told me that they get many sets returned.
When the clerk gave me my cash, I bought a set of well known cookware, on sale, and about twice what I paid for the original set. However, the difference is that several years later we are still using these pots and pans (except for the one that my husband burned to a crisp when I was out of town).
I bought cheap, I got cheap. It pays to buy a good brand but at a reduced price. Buying garbage is annoying and, often, you must replace the junk more often. Buying quality goods for a cheaper price is better than buying cheap goods for a cheap price.
I did find out that the cook ware set that I bought to replace the garbage set was also available at Big Lots for about $50, which is about $50 less than I paid for it. After I found that out and kicked myself, I decided that I needed to remember that for the future. So, buy good cook ware at a great price at Big Lots in the future. And buy quality goods, take care of them and you will end up paying less than if you bought cheap.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
When is a Deal not a Deal?
I have been peaking into some of the blogs and frugal web sites that I visit. I notice that many of the web sites are devoted to giving out information on "good deals" on all sorts of consumer goods. Some are devoted to giving out discount shopping codes for internet shopping web sites.
The thought struck me that there are plenty of people who go onto Ebay or other shopping web sites and purchase things for fun. It is great if they can get a discount code but often they are spending money they don't have on things they don't need. That is exactly when a deal is not a deal.
Many of the frugal forums I visit have people talking about "no spend days". This means different things to different people. Some include, as a no spend day, a day that a person buys a tank of gas or other necessities. Others mean NO money spent only. What they all agree on is that spending money on things that are not essential is not the way to be frugal.
Challenge yourself to define, for you, what a no spend day is and then set a goal of a particular number of days in a week (or a month) that you do not spend money. Set a reasonable goal (say 2/7 days) and then increase it as time goes on. You will be surprised how much money you actually save!
The thought struck me that there are plenty of people who go onto Ebay or other shopping web sites and purchase things for fun. It is great if they can get a discount code but often they are spending money they don't have on things they don't need. That is exactly when a deal is not a deal.
Many of the frugal forums I visit have people talking about "no spend days". This means different things to different people. Some include, as a no spend day, a day that a person buys a tank of gas or other necessities. Others mean NO money spent only. What they all agree on is that spending money on things that are not essential is not the way to be frugal.
Challenge yourself to define, for you, what a no spend day is and then set a goal of a particular number of days in a week (or a month) that you do not spend money. Set a reasonable goal (say 2/7 days) and then increase it as time goes on. You will be surprised how much money you actually save!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Frugal Dates (Pt. 3) - Cecil County Frugal Dates
This part of the Frugal Dates series is a list of ideas for frugal dates in our area. These ideas won’t include references to where to walk and get coffee which is in this article.
One of the followers on here, Committed Recycler, suggested making a list of fun, frugal things to do. That way, if there are no events in the community, couples can choose from the list of ideas for a date. I thought that was a wonderful idea and will work on that this weekend. Check the Cecil Whig calendar section for frugal events. This is a great resource for knowing what there is to do in the local area. The online calendar is different than the print version. I find the print version has many more things listed on it.
Here is a list of ideas of where to go and what to do for frugal dates in the Cecil County area.
University of Delaware has great entertainment and a few museums. Here is a calendar that is updated daily. Some things are expensive and some even free.
Cecil College also has some budget performances in the Millburn Stone Theatre. There are other things, such as sports events, on campus.
Washington College also has some lectures, films and other events. Many are not for the general public so make sure before you go that you can attend.
Sports events are very cheap if you go to local high school or college events. My husband usually goes to a UD football game every year with one of my daughters. He also has taken her to UD women’s basketball games. They were cheap “dates” and they even gave the kids posters of the team.
Restaurant.com is a way to purchase restaurant gift certificates for less money. A $25 certificate usually sells for $10. There are several restaurants in and around the county that offer certificates. Sometimes they have an 80% or 90% sale on certificates. I bought some for my daughters last year for Christmas and they enjoyed some nice lunches out without having to pay anything.
On the first Sunday of the month the Philadelphia Museum of Art has pay what you wish all day. I usually drop in a $5 bill and spend a few hours there. The Rodin Museum has a suggested contribution of $5 per person. Becoming a member of any of the Philadelphia museums is usually more cost effective than paying on a per visit basis.
The Delaware Art Museum also offers free admission on Sundays.
I think the one thing to take away from here is if you would like to see a museum or an historical sight, always check the web first to see if there is a day when admission is free.
Since we are heading into the cold weather, I am thinking of indoor things to do. Summer, when the weather is nice, one can swim cheaply at Elk Neck State Park or hike for $3 at Fair Hill Natural Resources Area. A one year park pass that is good at all the State Parks is only $75. You can usually buy and use it several months before the new year starts.
It is $10 a night for spectators at the Cecil County Dragway. On Sunday, it is $12 a day. Check the website for more information.
One of my favorite things to do is to wander around the streets of all our little tourist towns. I window shop, look in the stores, maybe buy a little something, and then have an ice cream or a cup of coffee. This is fun and also helps to support some of our local businesses. This can back fire if you find some expensive item that cries out to you “Buy me! Even if you don’t need me, you WANT me!” Just ignore that little voice and all will be frugal.
One of the followers on here, Committed Recycler, suggested making a list of fun, frugal things to do. That way, if there are no events in the community, couples can choose from the list of ideas for a date. I thought that was a wonderful idea and will work on that this weekend. Check the Cecil Whig calendar section for frugal events. This is a great resource for knowing what there is to do in the local area. The online calendar is different than the print version. I find the print version has many more things listed on it.
Here is a list of ideas of where to go and what to do for frugal dates in the Cecil County area.
University of Delaware has great entertainment and a few museums. Here is a calendar that is updated daily. Some things are expensive and some even free.
Cecil College also has some budget performances in the Millburn Stone Theatre. There are other things, such as sports events, on campus.
Washington College also has some lectures, films and other events. Many are not for the general public so make sure before you go that you can attend.
Sports events are very cheap if you go to local high school or college events. My husband usually goes to a UD football game every year with one of my daughters. He also has taken her to UD women’s basketball games. They were cheap “dates” and they even gave the kids posters of the team.
Restaurant.com is a way to purchase restaurant gift certificates for less money. A $25 certificate usually sells for $10. There are several restaurants in and around the county that offer certificates. Sometimes they have an 80% or 90% sale on certificates. I bought some for my daughters last year for Christmas and they enjoyed some nice lunches out without having to pay anything.
On the first Sunday of the month the Philadelphia Museum of Art has pay what you wish all day. I usually drop in a $5 bill and spend a few hours there. The Rodin Museum has a suggested contribution of $5 per person. Becoming a member of any of the Philadelphia museums is usually more cost effective than paying on a per visit basis.
The Delaware Art Museum also offers free admission on Sundays.
I think the one thing to take away from here is if you would like to see a museum or an historical sight, always check the web first to see if there is a day when admission is free.
Since we are heading into the cold weather, I am thinking of indoor things to do. Summer, when the weather is nice, one can swim cheaply at Elk Neck State Park or hike for $3 at Fair Hill Natural Resources Area. A one year park pass that is good at all the State Parks is only $75. You can usually buy and use it several months before the new year starts.
It is $10 a night for spectators at the Cecil County Dragway. On Sunday, it is $12 a day. Check the website for more information.
One of my favorite things to do is to wander around the streets of all our little tourist towns. I window shop, look in the stores, maybe buy a little something, and then have an ice cream or a cup of coffee. This is fun and also helps to support some of our local businesses. This can back fire if you find some expensive item that cries out to you “Buy me! Even if you don’t need me, you WANT me!” Just ignore that little voice and all will be frugal.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Frugal Dates (Pt. 2) – Where to Go for a Walk and a Coffee
What do you do for frugal dates? Our frugal date is usually a walk somewhere and than a cup of coffee. Coffee in our house is a big deal. It must be good coffee and not diner coffee. Each of the walks below is paired with a nice coffee shop.
Some of our favorite spots for walks are:
Elk Neck State Park – Turkey Point Light House is a nice, easy walk. For coffee and window shopping we go to North East. Beans, Leaves, etc., at 33 S. Main St., offers great coffee and outdoor tables in appropriate weather.
Fair Hill Natural Resources area – We have several trails that we go on but mostly stick to the area with the covered bridge. I have yet to find a coffee shop with great coffee close enough to Fair Hill to pair for the walk. We usually go home for an excellent and ultra-cheap brew.
Newark Main Street – I do like to walk on Main Street and window shop but if I buy anything, than it isn’t a frugal date. There are several coffee shops on Main St. and I guess you can pick your own.
Glasgow Park – This has a 2.6 mile walking trail but DH calls it “a forced march”. After the “forced march” we go to the Whereabouts Café in the People’s Plaza. They have excellent coffee, great food and a friendly staff that kiss us when we come in (only because one of them is our daughter!).
Walks around our neighborhood – We used to live in a development but now we live next to a 150 acre corn field with a tractor road. We take the dog for a walk here with us. Again, after a run after a dog who runs everywhere but to us, we catch our breath at home with the best brew there is.
Some of our favorite spots for walks are:
Elk Neck State Park – Turkey Point Light House is a nice, easy walk. For coffee and window shopping we go to North East. Beans, Leaves, etc., at 33 S. Main St., offers great coffee and outdoor tables in appropriate weather.
Fair Hill Natural Resources area – We have several trails that we go on but mostly stick to the area with the covered bridge. I have yet to find a coffee shop with great coffee close enough to Fair Hill to pair for the walk. We usually go home for an excellent and ultra-cheap brew.
Newark Main Street – I do like to walk on Main Street and window shop but if I buy anything, than it isn’t a frugal date. There are several coffee shops on Main St. and I guess you can pick your own.
Glasgow Park – This has a 2.6 mile walking trail but DH calls it “a forced march”. After the “forced march” we go to the Whereabouts Café in the People’s Plaza. They have excellent coffee, great food and a friendly staff that kiss us when we come in (only because one of them is our daughter!).
Walks around our neighborhood – We used to live in a development but now we live next to a 150 acre corn field with a tractor road. We take the dog for a walk here with us. Again, after a run after a dog who runs everywhere but to us, we catch our breath at home with the best brew there is.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Frugal Dates (Pt. 1)
I have been reading several articles that give details for frugal dates. I decided to collect them and put in my two cents too. However, I am going to do it using the local area and give some specific places. It would be great if others would chime in here with ideas too!
On Saturday, my husband and I spent time out of the house running errands. We took our time and I showed him the wonders of Gifford’s Farm Market and Feed Store . We bought chicken feed (cheaper than Tractor Supply by several dollars) and some pretty, Fall gourds. We browsed the pumpkins for sale ($.35/lb.) and the mums (3/$12.00 which seems to be standard). Then we went to Wal-Mart in North East to pick up medication and salt for the water treatment system (Morton Rust Repellant and cheaper than Home Depot. I also had coupons for $1.50 off 2 bags. Score!) Next was Good’s Structures and Farm market. I bought a 50 lb. bag of potatoes for $8.99 to split with my neighbor, and a half price pumpkin to cook up. Then we walked around looking at the structures and dreaming of what we would buy if we had the money (a guest house for guests, a garage, a play house for our grandchildren, etc.)
After we arrived home at 2:30, we decided to go out for a late lunch. It was a spur of the moment decision and not a frugal one. We went to the Pier One restaurant in North East. It had okay food and a great dessert menu. What we should have done was eat at home and go out for dessert and coffee. That would have been frugal and a treat.
Part of going out on a date is to spend time together. People who are married, or are long term partners, do not necessarily need an expensive date or a date in the typical sense of the word. A date can be doing errands and enjoying each other’s company while you are out and about. I think this is especially true of people with children. Privacy is hard to find in a home with children of any age. If being alone and spending time with your partner are the objects of the date, than this can be accomplished with a day running errands and including a stop for a treat like coffee/tea, ice cream or dessert.
On Saturday, my husband and I spent time out of the house running errands. We took our time and I showed him the wonders of Gifford’s Farm Market and Feed Store . We bought chicken feed (cheaper than Tractor Supply by several dollars) and some pretty, Fall gourds. We browsed the pumpkins for sale ($.35/lb.) and the mums (3/$12.00 which seems to be standard). Then we went to Wal-Mart in North East to pick up medication and salt for the water treatment system (Morton Rust Repellant and cheaper than Home Depot. I also had coupons for $1.50 off 2 bags. Score!) Next was Good’s Structures and Farm market. I bought a 50 lb. bag of potatoes for $8.99 to split with my neighbor, and a half price pumpkin to cook up. Then we walked around looking at the structures and dreaming of what we would buy if we had the money (a guest house for guests, a garage, a play house for our grandchildren, etc.)
After we arrived home at 2:30, we decided to go out for a late lunch. It was a spur of the moment decision and not a frugal one. We went to the Pier One restaurant in North East. It had okay food and a great dessert menu. What we should have done was eat at home and go out for dessert and coffee. That would have been frugal and a treat.
Part of going out on a date is to spend time together. People who are married, or are long term partners, do not necessarily need an expensive date or a date in the typical sense of the word. A date can be doing errands and enjoying each other’s company while you are out and about. I think this is especially true of people with children. Privacy is hard to find in a home with children of any age. If being alone and spending time with your partner are the objects of the date, than this can be accomplished with a day running errands and including a stop for a treat like coffee/tea, ice cream or dessert.
Time Off and Writer's Block
Last week I took a business trip to Boston for a few days. Additionally, I have had to spend more time at my primary job due to a 20% enrollment increase. There has been less time to write about life in the frugal lane.
However, I also had a bit of writer's block. I didn't know what to write about that others would find interesting. I still have a bit of a block but started a new article too. I hope to be back on track this week. Thanks for sticking around!
However, I also had a bit of writer's block. I didn't know what to write about that others would find interesting. I still have a bit of a block but started a new article too. I hope to be back on track this week. Thanks for sticking around!
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