I love going to Millburn Orchards. I get a regular e-mail from them and so I got this announcement:
"Sundae Sunday" this Sunday at Milburns...July 18th is National Ice Cream Day! Join us on the deck to celebrate this "Sundae Sunday". All your favorite toppings on your custom-built ice cream sundae are on us all day...all other Ice Cream selections are 1/3 off! 11am-5pm, Raindate 7/25"
Enjoy your Sundae!
Music in the North East park this Sunday from 6-8 pm featuring Bluegrass band Dean Sapp and the Harford Express. Bring a picnic, chairs and spend a lovely 2 hours listening to a local band. Price: FREE!
Lots of free things to do in the summer if you scout around for them. I will try to be better about posting them here.
Another free thing is on Aug. 10th. Come to the North East library for the Frugal Club!!! 6:30-7:45. Bring blank copies of whatever budget system(s) you use. We will talk about what we use, what works for us and what doesn't. I am always in quest of the perfect budget system. (I am also in quest of the budget system that actually works... but that is another story!)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Finding Help in Difficult Times
This is the title of the Enoch Pratt Library's web page that helps someone to get to government web sites that offer assistance. When I saw this post on the librarian list serve that I am on, I thought it would concentrate on the Baltimore Area but it has Maryland and Federal links.
Finding Help in Difficult Times
I also wrote several articles last year for help in and around our county. I am going to link to them here but let me know if there are problems.
Food pantries and homeless shelters
General information
Finding Help in Difficult Times
I also wrote several articles last year for help in and around our county. I am going to link to them here but let me know if there are problems.
Food pantries and homeless shelters
General information
Friday, June 18, 2010
Saving Money on Coffee
I have been reading around the web and coffee is such a large, fancy expense for many people. So many different ways to make it and so many different ways we like it. I have quite a bit of experience with coffee and a few years ago I set out to lower our coffee bill. My husband and I spent over $300 a year on good coffee and the supplies. Far too much money for an avowed frugalite.
Here is what I did:
1. Lower the cost of coffee but not the quality. We drink good coffee. No Maxwell House for us! If it comes in a can, I don’t want it. Instead I found a great coffee company that offers great deals. They are not top quality but they are good. Community Coffee is a house hold name in Louisiana. Right not I get 20 ounces of ground coffee for $5 a pound and free shipping with a 10 lbs order (or I did last time I ordered). Everything is vacuum packed so it will keep in your pantry.
2. One way to save money on the coffee is to reuse the grounds. What I have done in the past is to add ½ as many grounds into the filter and brew more coffee. This also saves on filters since you reuse the filters. My husband swore he could tell the difference and told me not to do that for his coffee but, well, let’s just say I was a bit sneaky with this one!
3. Filters – buy them at a warehouse club. I get 300 cone shaped filters for $6. Or you can buy regular filters and fold them into cone shape for even less. Get 1000, or something huge like that, at the warehouse club (big ones are the #4 sized cone filter) and fold them. Or, I just read something about buying a men’s tube sock and using it only as a filter. I don’t know how to do this exactly. Or buy a reusable (non-sock) filter.
4. Stuff to put in the coffee can be avoided by drinking it black. I love regular half and half in the coffee so I buy it at the warehouse club saving about $ .30 to $ .50 a quart.
5. Coffee makers can be bought for a few dollars at garage sales. I see them all the time. Be sure to ask if you can test them out by brewing a cup of hot water. If you ever see a coffee maker that is a duplicate of the one you have, buy it! How many times did I break the pot and then find out it was over $20 to replace just the pot??? If you have the space buy it and store it for when the coffee maker dies or you break the pot.
Two years ago I found out that I have acid reflux and now I drink tea almost every day. At 2 cents a tea bag, this saved quite a bit of money. But I love and miss coffee. I hope you can enjoy your coffee and save some money.
Here is what I did:
1. Lower the cost of coffee but not the quality. We drink good coffee. No Maxwell House for us! If it comes in a can, I don’t want it. Instead I found a great coffee company that offers great deals. They are not top quality but they are good. Community Coffee is a house hold name in Louisiana. Right not I get 20 ounces of ground coffee for $5 a pound and free shipping with a 10 lbs order (or I did last time I ordered). Everything is vacuum packed so it will keep in your pantry.
2. One way to save money on the coffee is to reuse the grounds. What I have done in the past is to add ½ as many grounds into the filter and brew more coffee. This also saves on filters since you reuse the filters. My husband swore he could tell the difference and told me not to do that for his coffee but, well, let’s just say I was a bit sneaky with this one!
3. Filters – buy them at a warehouse club. I get 300 cone shaped filters for $6. Or you can buy regular filters and fold them into cone shape for even less. Get 1000, or something huge like that, at the warehouse club (big ones are the #4 sized cone filter) and fold them. Or, I just read something about buying a men’s tube sock and using it only as a filter. I don’t know how to do this exactly. Or buy a reusable (non-sock) filter.
4. Stuff to put in the coffee can be avoided by drinking it black. I love regular half and half in the coffee so I buy it at the warehouse club saving about $ .30 to $ .50 a quart.
5. Coffee makers can be bought for a few dollars at garage sales. I see them all the time. Be sure to ask if you can test them out by brewing a cup of hot water. If you ever see a coffee maker that is a duplicate of the one you have, buy it! How many times did I break the pot and then find out it was over $20 to replace just the pot??? If you have the space buy it and store it for when the coffee maker dies or you break the pot.
Two years ago I found out that I have acid reflux and now I drink tea almost every day. At 2 cents a tea bag, this saved quite a bit of money. But I love and miss coffee. I hope you can enjoy your coffee and save some money.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Am I Saving Money by… ?
Last week my daughter and foster son graduated high school. The graduation was at 6 p.m. and finished about 7:30. We had a choice to make about dinner. During the summer months my husband does not work very much. We always need to be especially careful with our money and going out to dinner is usually not an option. However, we also had a coupon to Lowe’s that was about to expire. Our dilemma was about what to order for dinner at Lowe’s (not really!) Our real dilemma was about which thing we had time for. Dinner at home and a trip to Lowe’s OR dinner out and a trip to Lowe’s.
The coupon was for $25 off a purchase of $250 or more. I still have a gift card with about $250 on it and I wanted to use it to buy a light fixture for the dining room and paint for the kitchen. In order to use the coupon, we had to use it Friday night since I was leaving to go visit my mother on Saturday. The only way we could use the coupon was to buy dinner out and rush to Lowe’s after we ate. So, we would spend $25 on dinner to save $25 on the light fixture and paint. No savings would be had.
I realized that it was a tie and decided to skip Lowe’s after the graduation. We had planned to have a very nice, quick, cheap dinner at home and save $250. However, at the end of the graduation we were so hungry that we went off to the Indian Cook House and had a wonderful dinner ($41 including tip) and now I REALLY wish we went to Lowe’s and some stupid fast food place instead. We would have spent far less than we did at the Indian Cook House. (Although I have to say I hate fast food and LOVE the Indian Cook House!)
Moral of the story, well there are several:
1. Always eat before you go out somewhere to save yourself the cost of a meal. At the very least, bring a snack and drink in the car.
2. Don’t wait until the last minute to use a coupon since events may make it impossible to use.
3. Think about if your are really going to be saving money when you use a coupon. It may not save you much, if any, money in the long run.
4. The Indian Cook House is a delicious place to go for dinner.
The coupon was for $25 off a purchase of $250 or more. I still have a gift card with about $250 on it and I wanted to use it to buy a light fixture for the dining room and paint for the kitchen. In order to use the coupon, we had to use it Friday night since I was leaving to go visit my mother on Saturday. The only way we could use the coupon was to buy dinner out and rush to Lowe’s after we ate. So, we would spend $25 on dinner to save $25 on the light fixture and paint. No savings would be had.
I realized that it was a tie and decided to skip Lowe’s after the graduation. We had planned to have a very nice, quick, cheap dinner at home and save $250. However, at the end of the graduation we were so hungry that we went off to the Indian Cook House and had a wonderful dinner ($41 including tip) and now I REALLY wish we went to Lowe’s and some stupid fast food place instead. We would have spent far less than we did at the Indian Cook House. (Although I have to say I hate fast food and LOVE the Indian Cook House!)
Moral of the story, well there are several:
1. Always eat before you go out somewhere to save yourself the cost of a meal. At the very least, bring a snack and drink in the car.
2. Don’t wait until the last minute to use a coupon since events may make it impossible to use.
3. Think about if your are really going to be saving money when you use a coupon. It may not save you much, if any, money in the long run.
4. The Indian Cook House is a delicious place to go for dinner.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fruit and Berry Picking Season Began
I am late! Oh no! I pull up the Walnut Springs Farm web site and see that it is not only strawberry picking season but cherry and raspberry season as well. I need to get out there and pick!
I love picking fruit (except strawberries where I always end up sitting in the mud after 40 minutes of picking.) I pick it on Saturday and then make it into jam on Sunday. Although I end up spending the weekend working hard, I have lovely jars of jam to show for my work. Last year, with our move, I only ended up raspberry picking. The jam was gone by October. This year, I hope will be different.
So, here are the interesting links to local farms:
Walnut Springs Farm is great. We almost bought a house near there. They have raspberries, cherries, strawberries and blueberries. Check back often for picking information.
Milburn Orchards is very famous for its apples but it also grows and sells peaches, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, nectarines, plums, pumpkins and gourds. I know you can pick most of the fruits. Cherry picking begins June 10th. Sign up to get their emailed newsletter so you know what is being picked and when.
Colora Orchards grow only apples and peaches but there are 19 varieties of peaches and 10 varieties of apples.
Spring Valley Farm is also in Conowingo and opened for this season just today. They have blueberries, peaches, sour cherries and blackberries. Go to Ripe Report on the left to read what is available.
Redman Farms is in Chestertown. I don’t know much about it. Here is the link to the Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chestertown-MD/REDMAN-FARMS/325757919559?v=wall&ref=search&ajaxpipe=1&__a=27
They have pick your own strawberries. They sell many vegetables at the local farmers’ markets.
Does anyone know of other pick your own farms that are local to the Cecil area?
I love picking fruit (except strawberries where I always end up sitting in the mud after 40 minutes of picking.) I pick it on Saturday and then make it into jam on Sunday. Although I end up spending the weekend working hard, I have lovely jars of jam to show for my work. Last year, with our move, I only ended up raspberry picking. The jam was gone by October. This year, I hope will be different.
So, here are the interesting links to local farms:
Walnut Springs Farm is great. We almost bought a house near there. They have raspberries, cherries, strawberries and blueberries. Check back often for picking information.
Milburn Orchards is very famous for its apples but it also grows and sells peaches, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, nectarines, plums, pumpkins and gourds. I know you can pick most of the fruits. Cherry picking begins June 10th. Sign up to get their emailed newsletter so you know what is being picked and when.
Colora Orchards grow only apples and peaches but there are 19 varieties of peaches and 10 varieties of apples.
Spring Valley Farm is also in Conowingo and opened for this season just today. They have blueberries, peaches, sour cherries and blackberries. Go to Ripe Report on the left to read what is available.
Redman Farms is in Chestertown. I don’t know much about it. Here is the link to the Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chestertown-MD/REDMAN-FARMS/325757919559?v=wall&ref=search&ajaxpipe=1&__a=27
They have pick your own strawberries. They sell many vegetables at the local farmers’ markets.
Does anyone know of other pick your own farms that are local to the Cecil area?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Making Yogurt in the Crock Pot
I LOVE making yogurt in the crock pot! I have done it twice now and I am truly impressed with myself and the yogurt. It seems like it is pretty hard to mess up. Believe me, if it was going to go awry, it would have. I forgot to turn the crock pot off at the correct time. I forgot to add the starter yogurt at the correct time. Yet, it turned out beautifully!
I read and printed off several recipes for how to make yogurt in the crock pot. Then, I took all that knowledge and synthesized it down to one recipe. Here it is:
Crock Pot Yogurt
1/2 gallon of milk (if you use dry milk add 2/3 c. extra for creamier yogurt)
1/2 c. plain yogurt with live cultures and no other ingredients (organic brands are best)
Heat milk in crock pot for 3 hours on low. You can take the temperature with a candy thermometer and it should read 180 degrees or so. (Or, just heat on low for 3 hours). Turn off crock pot for 2 1/2 hours and let cool. (ideal temp should be 122-126 degrees). Take out 2 cups of milk, add 1/2 c. yogurt and blend. Add back into the crock pot and stir. Take one or more towels and cover up the whole crock pot to keep warm. 8 hours later you should have yogurt.
Drawbacks are you have to be around at the exact times to turn it off and add starter. My yogurt finished at midnight and it was fine until the morning when I woke up and put it into the fridge.
I have a little 5 c. yogurt maker that I bought at a garage sale for $2 about 12-13 years ago. It still works but it really doesn’t make enough yogurt. The yogurt from this is not as thick and creamy as my crock pot yogurt. I doubt I will buy store bought yogurt again. One other word of warning! Put aside ½ c. before it is all eaten or you will have to buy a starter cup again.
Cost: $.90 for the dry milk plus original starter yogurt cost. After you use your own starter it will be just $.90 for two quarts. Compare to store bought plain, on sale for $1.99 a quart.
I read and printed off several recipes for how to make yogurt in the crock pot. Then, I took all that knowledge and synthesized it down to one recipe. Here it is:
Crock Pot Yogurt
1/2 gallon of milk (if you use dry milk add 2/3 c. extra for creamier yogurt)
1/2 c. plain yogurt with live cultures and no other ingredients (organic brands are best)
Heat milk in crock pot for 3 hours on low. You can take the temperature with a candy thermometer and it should read 180 degrees or so. (Or, just heat on low for 3 hours). Turn off crock pot for 2 1/2 hours and let cool. (ideal temp should be 122-126 degrees). Take out 2 cups of milk, add 1/2 c. yogurt and blend. Add back into the crock pot and stir. Take one or more towels and cover up the whole crock pot to keep warm. 8 hours later you should have yogurt.
Drawbacks are you have to be around at the exact times to turn it off and add starter. My yogurt finished at midnight and it was fine until the morning when I woke up and put it into the fridge.
I have a little 5 c. yogurt maker that I bought at a garage sale for $2 about 12-13 years ago. It still works but it really doesn’t make enough yogurt. The yogurt from this is not as thick and creamy as my crock pot yogurt. I doubt I will buy store bought yogurt again. One other word of warning! Put aside ½ c. before it is all eaten or you will have to buy a starter cup again.
Cost: $.90 for the dry milk plus original starter yogurt cost. After you use your own starter it will be just $.90 for two quarts. Compare to store bought plain, on sale for $1.99 a quart.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Frugal Neighbors
When we moved into our house a year ago, we got to know our neighbors within a few weeks. I had them pegged as a frugal couple soon after we moved in and I was right. What gave them away first was that they had a huge vegetable garden in their back yard. I also noticed piles of wood behind their house. (For many years they only heated with their wood burning stove.)
Over the last year we have established a very good relationship with this couple. They are our age so we do have a lot in common. They are also just nice, kind people. During the horrible winter of 2009-2010, Bob used his tractor/plow to plow our driveway out after each of the 3 blizzards. In return, I try to make sure they never have to buy eggs.
Last summer when their garden went crazy I would come home from work to find a bag of produce on our porch. Or I would meet Mrs. Bob and she would say, “Just go up in back and help yourself. We can’t even freeze it all.” This year, when I planted my small garden, I made sure to plant different vegetables than the Bobs did so I can offer them some of our bounty.
I love this type of comfortable, helpful and kind relationship with our wonderful neighbors. I have always dreamed of establishing a reciprocal relationship with neighbors. We share some work together and we share tools, and produce. This is a great frugal arrangement but I don’t think it is easy to come by either. Most people, if you offered to give them some of your garden’s bounty, wouldn’t think to reciprocate. People that are frugal, but not stingy, would normally think to reciprocate.
Over the last year we have established a very good relationship with this couple. They are our age so we do have a lot in common. They are also just nice, kind people. During the horrible winter of 2009-2010, Bob used his tractor/plow to plow our driveway out after each of the 3 blizzards. In return, I try to make sure they never have to buy eggs.
Last summer when their garden went crazy I would come home from work to find a bag of produce on our porch. Or I would meet Mrs. Bob and she would say, “Just go up in back and help yourself. We can’t even freeze it all.” This year, when I planted my small garden, I made sure to plant different vegetables than the Bobs did so I can offer them some of our bounty.
I love this type of comfortable, helpful and kind relationship with our wonderful neighbors. I have always dreamed of establishing a reciprocal relationship with neighbors. We share some work together and we share tools, and produce. This is a great frugal arrangement but I don’t think it is easy to come by either. Most people, if you offered to give them some of your garden’s bounty, wouldn’t think to reciprocate. People that are frugal, but not stingy, would normally think to reciprocate.
Frugal Living Club of Cecil County Book Exchange
Come on out to the North East library (106 W. Cecil Ave) at 6:15 on Tuesday, May 25th. We are having a book exchange! for every book you bring, you can take one home. Left overs will be donated to the library's book sale. Hope to see you then.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Local Treasure Shop Catches my Eye!
New 2 You Consignment Shop, located 216 E. Pulaski Highway, is a wonderful shop! The day that my daughter went out with me to look for boots at thrift stores, we popped into this shop to inspect them. I was very favorably impressed with the shop itself, the quality of goods and prices. I also thought the staff was very personable and helpful.
The shop is in a one story office building on Rt. 40 across the street (and a bit up from) the Big Elk Shopping Center. It is a clean, well-lit store with racks and rooms of goods. The store was nicely laid out with each room dedicated to particular types of clothing like Juniors, children, etc. There is a room dedicated to furniture and other household goods, one for children’s wear and maternity, one for juniors. The main part of the store also had some very nice, reasonably priced, new jewelry. Because of the layout, you don’t find everything squished into a small area. You can walk around the store quite easily.
A 50% sale was going on when I went. I bought my husband a polo shirt that was NWT (new with tags) for his favorite football team (lots of “good wife” points for that!) The shirt cost $8 and was not part of the 50% off clothes. I think, for a consignment shop, it is a reasonable price. I also picked up a light weight, knit sweater for me, for summer, for $1.
You can follow the store on Facebook and find out what is on sale or what types of merchandise they can use. On Facebook they are called Saved New 2 You Consignment shop. There are some great photos of the store.
The day we were there, the owner was not but her parents were. They run the store on their daughter’s day off. They were very helpful and chatty as they rang up my sale.
I give this store a very high recommendation because they are clean, have great merchandise that is reasonably priced and a very pleasant staff. So, check them out Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am – 3 pm.
The shop is in a one story office building on Rt. 40 across the street (and a bit up from) the Big Elk Shopping Center. It is a clean, well-lit store with racks and rooms of goods. The store was nicely laid out with each room dedicated to particular types of clothing like Juniors, children, etc. There is a room dedicated to furniture and other household goods, one for children’s wear and maternity, one for juniors. The main part of the store also had some very nice, reasonably priced, new jewelry. Because of the layout, you don’t find everything squished into a small area. You can walk around the store quite easily.
A 50% sale was going on when I went. I bought my husband a polo shirt that was NWT (new with tags) for his favorite football team (lots of “good wife” points for that!) The shirt cost $8 and was not part of the 50% off clothes. I think, for a consignment shop, it is a reasonable price. I also picked up a light weight, knit sweater for me, for summer, for $1.
You can follow the store on Facebook and find out what is on sale or what types of merchandise they can use. On Facebook they are called Saved New 2 You Consignment shop. There are some great photos of the store.
The day we were there, the owner was not but her parents were. They run the store on their daughter’s day off. They were very helpful and chatty as they rang up my sale.
I give this store a very high recommendation because they are clean, have great merchandise that is reasonably priced and a very pleasant staff. So, check them out Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am – 3 pm.
Couple of Snippets of Local Information
Financial Peace University, the financial plan for debt repayment associated with Dave Ramsey, will be offered at Truth and Life Center 1924 West Pulaski Highway, North East, MD 21901. The preview will be 3/31 at 7:30 pm with classes beginning on 4/12. It will be held on Monday nights at 7 pm. If you go to Dave Ramsey’s web site and click on classes, search for it and you can sign up on line.
This weekend the Calvert Grange is featuring free (or for a donation) bluegrass gospel music and food. The donation goes towards rental of the grange and the cost of food. It is from 4 – 9 pm.
Goodwill in Elkton is having their half off clothing sale this Sunday. The web site has hours of 11 am – 6 pm for Sundays but you may want to call and see if they open early on this Sunday.
This weekend the Calvert Grange is featuring free (or for a donation) bluegrass gospel music and food. The donation goes towards rental of the grange and the cost of food. It is from 4 – 9 pm.
Goodwill in Elkton is having their half off clothing sale this Sunday. The web site has hours of 11 am – 6 pm for Sundays but you may want to call and see if they open early on this Sunday.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Envy
I know why envy is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. I found out first-hand what envy can do to relationships. I lost my closest friend over a dozen years ago, due to envy. I know that I need to always control and keep a check on this terrible character defect. Otherwise it can not only damage my relationships but land me into terrible financial trouble.
Many of you know envy under the other, more modern name of “keeping up with the Joneses”. This is just another name for envy. I have never really aspired to keep up with the Joneses. I don’t care what type of car I drive. (For years, we drove a 15 year old Corolla that looked terrible. My daughter would still be driving it if she didn’t crash it.) We lived in a rented townhouse for 3 years. My furniture is about 14 years old (and it is starting to look it! Thanks, doggy). I didn’t want to keep up with anyone because I didn’t have those values.
A few days ago I heard that someone I am related to is going to Europe for Spring break week. Not just one of them but this couple is taking their 3 children with them for the week. That is MY dream! I WANT to go to Europe! I have wanted this for years. About 8 years ago, I almost took off for a week, on my own, and financed my trip with a credit card. (Good sense intervened before that happened!) I have my first trip all figured out. I know where I am going, what I am seeing, etc. Why can’t I go? Why can everyone else go? I ENVY my relatives.
Last week, when my husband told me about our relatives going to Europe, it sparked my envy but it also got me thinking about our financial goals. When we sat down and discussed our goals this past weekend, I found out my husband has very few financial goals (really none). We discussed his personal goals and we discussed mine. His personal goals didn’t involve money. Mine did (ut-oh!). I am not materialistic but I have my dreams. They involve getting my house looking nice, going to Europe, and a few other things.
But the fact remains that I can’t achieve those dreams yet because I must clear up our debt. When I get that cleared up, when we have a large emergency fund, I will be able to make my dreams come true. Until then, I will use these goals as the carrot on the end of the financial stick to motivate me to become debt free. I don’t like envy but I am willing to use it and turn it into the motivation that keeps me on track to clean up our financial house. Then I won’t have to envy anyone because I will be able to make my dreams come true!
What role does envy play in your life? Is it a motivator or is it what got you into trouble?
Many of you know envy under the other, more modern name of “keeping up with the Joneses”. This is just another name for envy. I have never really aspired to keep up with the Joneses. I don’t care what type of car I drive. (For years, we drove a 15 year old Corolla that looked terrible. My daughter would still be driving it if she didn’t crash it.) We lived in a rented townhouse for 3 years. My furniture is about 14 years old (and it is starting to look it! Thanks, doggy). I didn’t want to keep up with anyone because I didn’t have those values.
A few days ago I heard that someone I am related to is going to Europe for Spring break week. Not just one of them but this couple is taking their 3 children with them for the week. That is MY dream! I WANT to go to Europe! I have wanted this for years. About 8 years ago, I almost took off for a week, on my own, and financed my trip with a credit card. (Good sense intervened before that happened!) I have my first trip all figured out. I know where I am going, what I am seeing, etc. Why can’t I go? Why can everyone else go? I ENVY my relatives.
Last week, when my husband told me about our relatives going to Europe, it sparked my envy but it also got me thinking about our financial goals. When we sat down and discussed our goals this past weekend, I found out my husband has very few financial goals (really none). We discussed his personal goals and we discussed mine. His personal goals didn’t involve money. Mine did (ut-oh!). I am not materialistic but I have my dreams. They involve getting my house looking nice, going to Europe, and a few other things.
But the fact remains that I can’t achieve those dreams yet because I must clear up our debt. When I get that cleared up, when we have a large emergency fund, I will be able to make my dreams come true. Until then, I will use these goals as the carrot on the end of the financial stick to motivate me to become debt free. I don’t like envy but I am willing to use it and turn it into the motivation that keeps me on track to clean up our financial house. Then I won’t have to envy anyone because I will be able to make my dreams come true!
What role does envy play in your life? Is it a motivator or is it what got you into trouble?
Review of Four Local Thrift Stores
I have noticed in the past year that several local thrift stores have opened up. These are business ventures by people and not for raising money for charitable causes such as Goodwill or the Elkton Nearly New Shop. On Saturday I was what my mother calls “on a mission”. My mission was to find a pair of size 8 rain boots. I decided to go and check out several stores that I saw on route 40.
The first store is located in downtown North East. The Nifty Thrift is located at 1 Mauldin Ave. This is the second time I have been by there trying to go in. It was closed at 1 pm on a Saturday. I did not see store hours posted. I will try to get there to review it.
I then drove East on Route 40 and stopped in at the next store, Diane’s Thrift Shop, at 1610 West Pulaski Highway. It is in a yellow, one story building on the right if you are traveling east. It is easy to tell if she is open because she puts out a few racks of clothes in front. I enjoyed my visit to her store. The owner is a very nice person and answered the few questions that I had. Right now she is having 50% off of clothes. She has very few women’s things size 18 and above, although she plans to have these in the future. The store is a mish mash of EVERYTHING although mostly clothing. I saw house wares, toys, books, videos, DVDs and even an old style sump pump! Her prices are very reasonable. The quality of the clothes varies. I bought a sweater for $2 but no boots. Those went in the snow she said. I plan to go back frequently.
Next, I continued on down the road to Handy Andy’s Thrift Store. The first thing I noticed was that the store smelled like cigarette smoke. They have very few clothes for sale so that is a good thing. What I found was a collection of collectibles, house wares, furniture, toys and tools. A man was busy in the tool section and said to my daughter and me, “That is the best part of the store!” Indeed, if you need hardware or tools, check out what Handy Andy has available. I did not buy anything here but enjoyed looking at all the stuff. I also found the owner’s pictures on My Space so you can see get an idea of what the store offers.
I didn’t find any address information but it is on the Eastbound side of Route 40 just before you get to Ace Hardware.
Next we went to the New 2 You Consignment Shop in Elton. I will review this in a separate entry since it is not a thrift store.
Lastly, we went to Goodwill, the old staple of thrift stores. I love the goods they have at Goodwill. I hate the prices. I let my daughter buy 2 blouses. One was $8 and the other was $6. The $8 blouse was in the boutique area of the store and that was why it was so expensive. However, this Thursday from 8 pm to 12 pm, Goodwill is having Midnight Madness where everything in the store in 50% off. I have to pick my son up at school at 10 pm, so I intend to stop at 9 or so and shop. Maybe I will see you there?
The first store is located in downtown North East. The Nifty Thrift is located at 1 Mauldin Ave. This is the second time I have been by there trying to go in. It was closed at 1 pm on a Saturday. I did not see store hours posted. I will try to get there to review it.
I then drove East on Route 40 and stopped in at the next store, Diane’s Thrift Shop, at 1610 West Pulaski Highway. It is in a yellow, one story building on the right if you are traveling east. It is easy to tell if she is open because she puts out a few racks of clothes in front. I enjoyed my visit to her store. The owner is a very nice person and answered the few questions that I had. Right now she is having 50% off of clothes. She has very few women’s things size 18 and above, although she plans to have these in the future. The store is a mish mash of EVERYTHING although mostly clothing. I saw house wares, toys, books, videos, DVDs and even an old style sump pump! Her prices are very reasonable. The quality of the clothes varies. I bought a sweater for $2 but no boots. Those went in the snow she said. I plan to go back frequently.
Next, I continued on down the road to Handy Andy’s Thrift Store. The first thing I noticed was that the store smelled like cigarette smoke. They have very few clothes for sale so that is a good thing. What I found was a collection of collectibles, house wares, furniture, toys and tools. A man was busy in the tool section and said to my daughter and me, “That is the best part of the store!” Indeed, if you need hardware or tools, check out what Handy Andy has available. I did not buy anything here but enjoyed looking at all the stuff. I also found the owner’s pictures on My Space so you can see get an idea of what the store offers.
I didn’t find any address information but it is on the Eastbound side of Route 40 just before you get to Ace Hardware.
Next we went to the New 2 You Consignment Shop in Elton. I will review this in a separate entry since it is not a thrift store.
Lastly, we went to Goodwill, the old staple of thrift stores. I love the goods they have at Goodwill. I hate the prices. I let my daughter buy 2 blouses. One was $8 and the other was $6. The $8 blouse was in the boutique area of the store and that was why it was so expensive. However, this Thursday from 8 pm to 12 pm, Goodwill is having Midnight Madness where everything in the store in 50% off. I have to pick my son up at school at 10 pm, so I intend to stop at 9 or so and shop. Maybe I will see you there?
Friday, March 12, 2010
I have Lost my Goals
When trying to forge a financial path through the wilderness of money management, it is important to have a goal. A goal gives you a place to work towards and a place to know that you have achieved something in the end. When my 4 children were younger, we had a goal. I wanted to be home with them as much as financially possible. In order to do that, we had to pinch every penny so I wouldn’t have to work full time. In the past few years, as my children grew up, the goals shifted to getting a full time job with benefits and to buying a house.
Today, I realized that I had several vague financial goals. They are not clearly defined. They are also my vague goals. I am married and my husband and I have yet to discuss our goals since we bought our house last year. I don’t know what, if any, financial goals he has. (I tend to think about these things and he doesn’t until I bring up the subject.) We are just floundering around and that isn’t good for us.
Financial goals change over time as your life changes. The goals you had at 25 aren’t the goals you will have at 35 (or even 30). Life is a very fluid, series of events, many of them life altering, and your goals in life, and financially, will change over time. If you are in a committed relationship where you share finances, then it is a good idea to sit down, every so often, and discuss with your partner/spouse what goals you both have. Forging a financial path together is the way to get both people committed to the goals. (It also creates good harmony)
This weekend I hope to sit down with my husband and talk about our financial goals, both short term and long term. When this is done, we will know what must be done to set us on our chosen path.
Today, I realized that I had several vague financial goals. They are not clearly defined. They are also my vague goals. I am married and my husband and I have yet to discuss our goals since we bought our house last year. I don’t know what, if any, financial goals he has. (I tend to think about these things and he doesn’t until I bring up the subject.) We are just floundering around and that isn’t good for us.
Financial goals change over time as your life changes. The goals you had at 25 aren’t the goals you will have at 35 (or even 30). Life is a very fluid, series of events, many of them life altering, and your goals in life, and financially, will change over time. If you are in a committed relationship where you share finances, then it is a good idea to sit down, every so often, and discuss with your partner/spouse what goals you both have. Forging a financial path together is the way to get both people committed to the goals. (It also creates good harmony)
This weekend I hope to sit down with my husband and talk about our financial goals, both short term and long term. When this is done, we will know what must be done to set us on our chosen path.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Frugal Club – First Organizational Meeting!
I have reserved the meeting room in the North East Library on Tuesday, March 23rd, from 6 – 8 p.m. This is to hold the first meeting of the Cecil County Frugal Club. This is an organizational meeting. I am starting the club but I am, in no way, a leader. So, please come out and join me. At this point, I am hoping there are at least a few other people besides me at the meeting! I am bringing a frugal snack and don’t want to have to eat it all myself!
For more information, please read this web site about what a Frugal club is:
http://www.wisebread.com/entertainment-value-start-a-frugal-club
For more information, please read this web site about what a Frugal club is:
http://www.wisebread.com/entertainment-value-start-a-frugal-club
Wee Cycle Mart Comes to Perryville
The Wee Cycle Mart is holding a sale in Perryville at the outlets in the old L.L. Bean store. It is March 12-14. This semi-annual event sounds great and I wish they had this when my kids were young. If you need extra cash then clean out your kids items and sell them on consignment at the mart. Or just attend and buy what you need for the upcoming season.
I have never been to one of these and would love to have someone, who has attended a sale, talk about it in the comments section so we know if they are as good as they seem.
I have never been to one of these and would love to have someone, who has attended a sale, talk about it in the comments section so we know if they are as good as they seem.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Teen Agers and Wants
If you don’t have teen agers, this is still a good article to read. It pertains to wants and needs too!
My 17 year old daughter is going to have surgery next month. Until she has the surgery she needs to manage her pain. Her last trip to the doctor, she didn’t get any pain meds. That night she slept for about 4 hours. Her pain comes and goes but when it is here, she needs something for it. I asked her why she didn’t ask the doctor for pain meds. She told me she didn’t want to cost us any more money. She knows she is costing us a lot and didn’t want us to have to pay out more money.
Two things raced through my mind. The first is “what a horrible parent I am.” The second is “she doesn’t understand that we always have money for needs but often have to do without our wants.”
I apologized to her for making her think that we didn’t have the money for the medication. Then we had a long discussion about wants vs. needs. I told her we don’t have money for her to go with her cheerleading team and stay at a hotel overnight for a game. But I did have money to pay her medical bills. I don’t have money for her to roam around the countryside and use a quarter tank of gas like she did 2 nights ago. But I did have money to buy the pain medications. Then I asked her when we ever did without a need? We often tell her no when she asks for an unnecessary item (like fast food) but we have yet to say there is no money when she needs something.
It is important that teens, especially, understand the difference between wants and needs so they can be good money managers. Self control with money is a big issue at this age. (Self control with anything, really!) To be able to understand and differentiate a want from a need is a very important tool for good money management.
The pain meds cost $6. Less than a fast food meal.
My 17 year old daughter is going to have surgery next month. Until she has the surgery she needs to manage her pain. Her last trip to the doctor, she didn’t get any pain meds. That night she slept for about 4 hours. Her pain comes and goes but when it is here, she needs something for it. I asked her why she didn’t ask the doctor for pain meds. She told me she didn’t want to cost us any more money. She knows she is costing us a lot and didn’t want us to have to pay out more money.
Two things raced through my mind. The first is “what a horrible parent I am.” The second is “she doesn’t understand that we always have money for needs but often have to do without our wants.”
I apologized to her for making her think that we didn’t have the money for the medication. Then we had a long discussion about wants vs. needs. I told her we don’t have money for her to go with her cheerleading team and stay at a hotel overnight for a game. But I did have money to pay her medical bills. I don’t have money for her to roam around the countryside and use a quarter tank of gas like she did 2 nights ago. But I did have money to buy the pain medications. Then I asked her when we ever did without a need? We often tell her no when she asks for an unnecessary item (like fast food) but we have yet to say there is no money when she needs something.
It is important that teens, especially, understand the difference between wants and needs so they can be good money managers. Self control with money is a big issue at this age. (Self control with anything, really!) To be able to understand and differentiate a want from a need is a very important tool for good money management.
The pain meds cost $6. Less than a fast food meal.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Blizzards and Alternatives
We have had 2 major blizzards in the last week. I have been able to save about $70 in gas since I didn't commute to Baltimore for 6 work days! I have also had to use items in my pantry while we were inside and the snow raged or roads were just poor. We also had the power go out for almost 12 hours! That's a big savings on heating oil and electricity. For the record, that is one I could do without.
While I was inside, I came up with an alternative way to repurpose an item and not have to buy something. I also found a way to use a cheaper alternative for another item. As I type this, I have our laptop on top of a wire rack with folding legs for cooling baked goods. We frequently leave the computer on all day and it gets very hot underneath the computer. Not good for the compuer or for what it rests on. I even heard of a hot laptop starting a fire on someone's bed. Instead of buying a stand that you can put it on, I decided to try one of our cooling racks. It works well! Savings $25+.
My other alternative is getting a non-skid mat for under a rug. We recently bought 2, 5' x 7' rugs for $40 each. They were quite the bargain. However,our dog decided she loved the one that we put in the living room. I would often find the rug on the other side of the room. The dog likes to throw herself on the rug and it skids away. I went to Home Depot in search of a non-skid mat to put under the rug. I found the correct size for $39, which is almost what we paid for the rug. I just couldn't spend that amount of money on a mat. Instead, I bought 2 mats measuring 2' x 5' each for $13 each. I put both of these down and they work well. That saved me $13.
I keep looking for alternatives and cheaper ways to do things. I often find other ways of doing things and feel very proud when I do. Keep looking out for alternatives and you will be surprised what you come up with. Write a comment on how you came up with some great, money saving, repurposing or alternatives.
While I was inside, I came up with an alternative way to repurpose an item and not have to buy something. I also found a way to use a cheaper alternative for another item. As I type this, I have our laptop on top of a wire rack with folding legs for cooling baked goods. We frequently leave the computer on all day and it gets very hot underneath the computer. Not good for the compuer or for what it rests on. I even heard of a hot laptop starting a fire on someone's bed. Instead of buying a stand that you can put it on, I decided to try one of our cooling racks. It works well! Savings $25+.
My other alternative is getting a non-skid mat for under a rug. We recently bought 2, 5' x 7' rugs for $40 each. They were quite the bargain. However,our dog decided she loved the one that we put in the living room. I would often find the rug on the other side of the room. The dog likes to throw herself on the rug and it skids away. I went to Home Depot in search of a non-skid mat to put under the rug. I found the correct size for $39, which is almost what we paid for the rug. I just couldn't spend that amount of money on a mat. Instead, I bought 2 mats measuring 2' x 5' each for $13 each. I put both of these down and they work well. That saved me $13.
I keep looking for alternatives and cheaper ways to do things. I often find other ways of doing things and feel very proud when I do. Keep looking out for alternatives and you will be surprised what you come up with. Write a comment on how you came up with some great, money saving, repurposing or alternatives.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Keeping Chickens
When we bought our house last June, I was so happy because I had space to keep some chickens. I always wanted to have a large vegetable garden and some chickens, maybe a cow. Now I could start to make my dream come true. I was very lucky because someone I worked with was moving to Japan and couldn’t take her chickens!!!! I got 5 hens and 3 roosters “free”!
I had to rent a truck and drive to the Annapolis area to get the coop and fencing materials. ($105 plus gas and tolls – about $150) My husband never built a chicken pen. We paid a teen ager with the right skills about $75 to help him build the pen. They bought supplies for about another $60.
The chickens arrived a few days later by car. I got some feed with them but had to buy my own. I decided I wanted a few more hens so I could have a steady supply of eggs. I hatched 19 chicks. I did not get a special brooder which would have run much more. I made a little house out of cardboard and wood shavings for the chicks. Wood shavings began to run me quite a bit of money as the chicks grew. I went through about $10 worth a week as well as quite a bit of chick feed. I had to buy special feed and water holders. (About $25 for all of them).
Then the chicks went out into the pen with the grown ones. Next I noticed I was going through a bag of feed a week ($9.50). I now feed them scratch too and let them roam most days. I have only 25 chickens now (one died and one just disappeared – maybe a hawk got it).
In November I did a duck rescue and two of the sweetest animals installed themselves into the pen. I bought a dog house ($89) and had the teen aged boy make a door. He also enlarged the pen ($60 for him and $120 for supplies).
Now let’s tally up the balance sheet on the plus side. Eggs! Yes, I do get some (about 3 every 2 days). It is winter and chickens don’t lay many eggs in winter. Come Spring I will have many more and I will also send the roosters to be butchered. There are about 14 roosters and I will leave only 2. Since I have bantams we will need 2 roosters for every family dinner. That is 6 dinners plus leftovers. I hope to sell the eggs when the hens go into spring time production. Maybe $1 a dozen since they are small and 3 bantam eggs equal two regular sized eggs.
My nephew is bringing by 8 hens today because they were living in someone’s living room in Newark (EWWW!!!). Animal control gave them a week to get rid of them. Welcome hens! I am hoping no one else gets my phone number and asks me to rescue their poultry!!!
I decided that keeping a few chickens can be a very expensive hobby!
I had to rent a truck and drive to the Annapolis area to get the coop and fencing materials. ($105 plus gas and tolls – about $150) My husband never built a chicken pen. We paid a teen ager with the right skills about $75 to help him build the pen. They bought supplies for about another $60.
The chickens arrived a few days later by car. I got some feed with them but had to buy my own. I decided I wanted a few more hens so I could have a steady supply of eggs. I hatched 19 chicks. I did not get a special brooder which would have run much more. I made a little house out of cardboard and wood shavings for the chicks. Wood shavings began to run me quite a bit of money as the chicks grew. I went through about $10 worth a week as well as quite a bit of chick feed. I had to buy special feed and water holders. (About $25 for all of them).
Then the chicks went out into the pen with the grown ones. Next I noticed I was going through a bag of feed a week ($9.50). I now feed them scratch too and let them roam most days. I have only 25 chickens now (one died and one just disappeared – maybe a hawk got it).
In November I did a duck rescue and two of the sweetest animals installed themselves into the pen. I bought a dog house ($89) and had the teen aged boy make a door. He also enlarged the pen ($60 for him and $120 for supplies).
Now let’s tally up the balance sheet on the plus side. Eggs! Yes, I do get some (about 3 every 2 days). It is winter and chickens don’t lay many eggs in winter. Come Spring I will have many more and I will also send the roosters to be butchered. There are about 14 roosters and I will leave only 2. Since I have bantams we will need 2 roosters for every family dinner. That is 6 dinners plus leftovers. I hope to sell the eggs when the hens go into spring time production. Maybe $1 a dozen since they are small and 3 bantam eggs equal two regular sized eggs.
My nephew is bringing by 8 hens today because they were living in someone’s living room in Newark (EWWW!!!). Animal control gave them a week to get rid of them. Welcome hens! I am hoping no one else gets my phone number and asks me to rescue their poultry!!!
I decided that keeping a few chickens can be a very expensive hobby!
Friday, January 22, 2010
I Want New Furniture!
Jodlbauer’s is having a HUGE sale on furniture! (They are always having a sale these days! I think most furniture stores are struggling in this economy.) I would love a new bedroom set and a bigger dining room table.
My bedroom has never looked very pretty. I haven’t had a bedroom “set” since college dorm days! I wrote an article on repurposing furniture and talked about how I added a toy box and a dish cabinet to my bedroom. So, you can imagine what it looks like! I need a new bedroom set.
My dining room has a kitchen table in it. It seats 6 people only. To seat large amounts of family I need to put 2 or 3 tables together. I need a table that can seat 10 or 12.
I need? Do I really need? No, but dang it, I WANT these things. How to get these things? Do I run out and buy 2 rooms of furniture because it is a good sale and use a handy-dandy credit card? NO! I am going to save up for the furniture and then take advantage of another good sale at one of the many furniture stores, and buy it.
I am sitting here thinking it will be a long time before I get the $6,000-7,000 to spend on the new furniture. Maybe there is an alternative. Maybe I can save money – probably about $1,500 - and purchase some very nice used furniture. That seems do-able. That is not such a large number that it seems impossible to achieve.
I encourage you to all decide if something is a want or a need. Then use your brain and your creativity to come up with another way to get something or to substitute something cheaper.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
What's Happening In and Around Cecil
Saturday night the North Elk Coffee House is hosting Brooks Williams. Admission is $8 for adults. Here is a link with more information http://www.stmaryanne.org/coffeehouse.html
On Wednesday nights UD is hosting an indie film showing that is free and open to the public. Here is the link to that: http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2010/dec/indie121109.html
Jan. 21-Feb. 20: Delaware's REP to stage 'She Stoops to Conquer' I have tickets and am looking forward to another wonderful, cheap production from UD’s rep theatre.
True West, a play by Sam Shepard, will be playing at the Millburn Stone Theatre on Jan. 28,29 and 30th. It is only $5 a ticket!! http://cecil.edu/common/pages/calendars/theatre/2009-2010/true-west.htm
Not a lot happening in and around the county so we must all resort to more frugal forms of entertainment. Last Friday night my husband, son and I played a board game (I came in very, very last!) We bought the game a few years ago at The Days of Knights in Newark on Main St. They have many wonderful board games there and we bought it after speaking with one of the employees. We haven’t regretted it. We usually play it on long winter nights. We also employ Scrabble, Rumikub, cards and puzzles to take care of those long nights. As the kids have gotten older they have joined us. My son and I often play 3 rounds of Rumikub to see who wins the most. (I won’t tell you who wins most either!)
The weather will be warmer this weekend so maybe people can get out and walk more. If anyone knows of any cheap events being held in or around Cecil this weekend, please leave info in the comments section. The more we have to choose from the better to chase the winter doldrums away.
On Wednesday nights UD is hosting an indie film showing that is free and open to the public. Here is the link to that: http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2010/dec/indie121109.html
Jan. 21-Feb. 20: Delaware's REP to stage 'She Stoops to Conquer' I have tickets and am looking forward to another wonderful, cheap production from UD’s rep theatre.
True West, a play by Sam Shepard, will be playing at the Millburn Stone Theatre on Jan. 28,29 and 30th. It is only $5 a ticket!! http://cecil.edu/common/pages/calendars/theatre/2009-2010/true-west.htm
Not a lot happening in and around the county so we must all resort to more frugal forms of entertainment. Last Friday night my husband, son and I played a board game (I came in very, very last!) We bought the game a few years ago at The Days of Knights in Newark on Main St. They have many wonderful board games there and we bought it after speaking with one of the employees. We haven’t regretted it. We usually play it on long winter nights. We also employ Scrabble, Rumikub, cards and puzzles to take care of those long nights. As the kids have gotten older they have joined us. My son and I often play 3 rounds of Rumikub to see who wins the most. (I won’t tell you who wins most either!)
The weather will be warmer this weekend so maybe people can get out and walk more. If anyone knows of any cheap events being held in or around Cecil this weekend, please leave info in the comments section. The more we have to choose from the better to chase the winter doldrums away.
Welcome North East Library Attendees!
Welcome to the Frugal Living to Accomplish Your Goals blog. I hope that you enjoyed last night's program and that you find this blog useful.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
January Budget Blues
Every January, after the excesses of Christmas, I feel the need to put my wallet away. I stop spending on almost everything that isn’t essential. Every purchase is thoughtfully weighed in my mind. This year the zipper to my six year old parka broke. I can still use it by stepping in and out of the coat and then zipping it up. I was using a paper clip to pull the zipper up. This is my thought process about what to do about replacing or fixing the coat:
1. Is it a needed item? Or is it a wanted item? A winter coat is a definite need.
2. Is it usable? Yes. But not in social situations. (Sorry, I am not stepping into my coat when I put it on at work!) It has now become an outdoor work coat which I did need.
3. Can I fix it? I cannot get it unstuck but maybe a family member can. I can purchase a cheap zipper pull from Jo-Ann Fabric for a few dollars.
4. Should I repair it? I don’t know. It is stained and looks a bit worn. I do need an outdoor work coat. I don’t want to come into work with hay on my coat like I did a few weeks ago!
5. Do I have something else to use instead? Yes! My long, dress coat is toasty warm and quite usable. I can wear the old coat for doing work or sledding or dog walking, and the dress coat for “social situations”.
6. If I don’t repair it, can it be bought second hand? Not likely! I have often searched for nice coats at garage sales and thrift stores. You can get some children’s coats that look nice but most adult coats, if they are in good condition, are quite dated.
7. If I need to buy it new, do I have the money to pay cash? Are there any good sales, etc? Luckily, it is a great time for sales and I need to get one before the coats are gone.
My solution, right now is to wait to get a coat. I have a second coat I can use and the parka is still serviceable for around the house. I will keep track of sales, coupons and dig into the budget to find the cash for the coat. If I can’t find the cash before the end of March, I will look for a new one at the garage sales this summer.
When I feel strapped for cash in January, thinking of other solutions to an issue does two things. The first is it saves me money but the second is it gives me piece of mind to actually do something different so I do not have to lay out the cash for a purchase. I try to find other solutions for expenditures at all times but often forget. January serves to remind me of my frugal roots and gives me a push to be more frugal.
1. Is it a needed item? Or is it a wanted item? A winter coat is a definite need.
2. Is it usable? Yes. But not in social situations. (Sorry, I am not stepping into my coat when I put it on at work!) It has now become an outdoor work coat which I did need.
3. Can I fix it? I cannot get it unstuck but maybe a family member can. I can purchase a cheap zipper pull from Jo-Ann Fabric for a few dollars.
4. Should I repair it? I don’t know. It is stained and looks a bit worn. I do need an outdoor work coat. I don’t want to come into work with hay on my coat like I did a few weeks ago!
5. Do I have something else to use instead? Yes! My long, dress coat is toasty warm and quite usable. I can wear the old coat for doing work or sledding or dog walking, and the dress coat for “social situations”.
6. If I don’t repair it, can it be bought second hand? Not likely! I have often searched for nice coats at garage sales and thrift stores. You can get some children’s coats that look nice but most adult coats, if they are in good condition, are quite dated.
7. If I need to buy it new, do I have the money to pay cash? Are there any good sales, etc? Luckily, it is a great time for sales and I need to get one before the coats are gone.
My solution, right now is to wait to get a coat. I have a second coat I can use and the parka is still serviceable for around the house. I will keep track of sales, coupons and dig into the budget to find the cash for the coat. If I can’t find the cash before the end of March, I will look for a new one at the garage sales this summer.
When I feel strapped for cash in January, thinking of other solutions to an issue does two things. The first is it saves me money but the second is it gives me piece of mind to actually do something different so I do not have to lay out the cash for a purchase. I try to find other solutions for expenditures at all times but often forget. January serves to remind me of my frugal roots and gives me a push to be more frugal.
Holiday Vacation and Interesting Articles
I am back after a LONG hiatus. I tried and tried to think of some frugal topics to write about but my mind drew a blank. Instead of putting up junk, I decided to wait until inspiration struck. I am still waiting a bit but until it strikes, I wanted to draw readers attention to a series of articles that Trent Lott at the Simple Dollar is doing.
Yesterday he had an article on How the Average American Family Spends their Income and How to Trim It. I found it very informative. The best part is that he is taking each one of the budget areas and writing a detailed article on how to trim that area. Today’s article is on housing . It is a very good article. I urge readers to check in every day for the next few weeks and read his articles and the comments (which can be equally informative).
Yesterday he had an article on How the Average American Family Spends their Income and How to Trim It. I found it very informative. The best part is that he is taking each one of the budget areas and writing a detailed article on how to trim that area. Today’s article is on housing . It is a very good article. I urge readers to check in every day for the next few weeks and read his articles and the comments (which can be equally informative).
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