Fashion Cent$

Keeping children clothed is a challenge on a budget.  Items are pricy and keeping up with growth spurts can be a nightmare.  There are some ways to clothe kids that are less expensive than others...I will give a list of ideas where to find bargains for clothing and then rate them in order of Most Frugal Method~

1. Given free.
2. Thrift store.
3. Consignment shop.
4. Home made/handmade.
5. Sales
6. Discounted
7. Swaps.
8. Garage/Yard sales.
9. Coupon or other money off prices.
10. End of season discounts.
11. Hand me downs.
12. Auction

Did I miss any ways?? Give me a holler if I did and tell me where to put it in this next list! ;-))

MOST Frugal to Least. . .
1. Free  We can't beat free.  Free can be in the form of somebody sharing with us or just handing down our used items to our next child, but FREE is FREE! It beats all the deals! Free can be a swap too~as long as no money is exchanged~it's free right?

2. To rate these next ones, I must admit that attitudes and beliefs will come into play as well as our budget.  Is lightly used or used as good as new, but may cost a little more?  You decide your values, but for me when I had little children I paid as much as $10 and $20 per churchy dress outfit per child because they were sometimes hundreds of dollars and were not hurt by the original owner! So here's my list from #2 on:

Garage/Yard sales~I've found often that people having these  generally know what to ask to move their merchandise quick.  The rule of selling is to be sold out as quick as possible by pricing accurately because the longer the day the less the money.  Many will go for less quicker in order to move items quicker, but then I also have 'shopped' later and found items that while earlier in the day folks were not dickering obviously by what was STILL there, so I found great stuff for less~jeans generally $1; tops $.50-$1 depending! But anyway you look at it, the next two on my list gain their merchandise from the yard sales and they are out to make something...so...

3. Thrift stores.  I have found these to be a little pricier than the garage/yard sales, but sometimes you can find some real jems! My daughter got two brand new items today for $9 that either would have been three times as much! Both had the tags still on them! Whoohoo!

4.  Consignment Shops.  Now this again depends upon philosophy, because often you will pay a good bit more than the thrift store or garage/yard sale for items, but if you are thinking discounted new, then you will want to compare the prices here.  I have found discounted items to be about a less as consignment shop prices for new verses old or used stuff! So take your pick here! I just want to enourage you to shop until you find what you need at a GREAT price and doing this means you KNOW what an item will go for regularly...

5. Discouted retail: Can be out of season items or marked down, but these compete in price often with consignments...

6. Auctions are a toss up...I've never bought clothing this way, so I am unsure...except on eBay.  So I'd say know your prices because you can end of paying too much!

7. Home/handmade: Frabric prices have driven me away from my sewing machine! I was shocked when I shopped for plain ole cotton-poly blend for some curtains. . .gone are the $1 a yard or less days! My mother made all my formals when I was in high school and college from the fifty-cents a yard tables at the local fabric store~no more! So this is really an investment when you consider materials and your time...there are too many clothes begging for homes on the cheap!

This prioritized list is MY own ideas of values and value for my clothing budget.  Notice I said NOTHING about name brands or the like? They don't enter into this equation for me because I can find some of these at our most inexpensive places.  For growing kids, this can be a challenge to keep them clothed. We are so blessed!

It makes sense to have a value for values in fashion cent$

Hair Fashion on Less

I have sported hair styles from punky short to the long straight or layered. Yeah, that's my picture up there, and as you can see it's a medium length bob right now. I've colored, and I've not. When considering my budget, my family's fair fashion can be a consideration. This may be even more extreme an idea than just making sure product bottles or anything we use is totally used up, but if you don't have the money, these ideas are well worth the read, and even if you do have it to spend, there's always the day~ So how can one save when it comes to hair fashion~the cuts and or color?

I know some moms who cut their own children's hair. For the boys, some have purchased clippers, and others like I have done it using scissors to do the job. When our son was little, I used to cut his hair from the time he was a baby up until the last year or so actually. I will say that he did not have a real long hair line that required clippers so it was fairly easy to keep him neat and clean looking. Now when he got about first or second grade, I did take him to a hair dresser on occasion~this was to create the lines of the cut so I could follow it for an additional trim or two for follow up hair cuts and to save $.

I have even used a local beauty school to save on cut costs. This can be tricky if you are totally afraid of what you might end up with! I had to stop a student hair dresser once~which didn't go over too well, but I knew IF she continued, he'd need a buzz cut, and I didn't want to "go there" as it was in the dead of winter! Hair cuts and styles lend themselves to thinking about costs. How much will the hair-do take for maintenance? There are times I think and really want the short sassy cut of a few years ago AGAIN, but because it takes more trips to the salon or shop or school to maintain it, shorter cuts will get unwieldy much easier than longer styles, I will push the idea aside for what I'm doing right now. Let's consider my medium bob. I generally get about 2 sometimes 3 cuts per year. This is because I have long bangs without layering so it doesn't lose shape as it grows. There isn't hardly any undercutting either. I don't like it in my hair. I've had the cut where the back is shorter than the sides. . .cute, but still more maintenance! A simple cut that will grow and maintain shape is most economical. But what if you can't STAND this cut and want something different? Have you thought about a long hairstyle? Long hair that is about shoulder or longer in length can be put up to have a shorter "style" when desired, but will surely be less in cut costs. Of course, you will spend more on shampoo and conditioners, but without really doing a comparrison, I am going to guess that you will still come out a head in money. There could also be the added costs of hair "accessories" too. You can make these or some of them to cut costs...I like the fabric scrunchies...in fact, I like to put my hair up off of my neck and pretty much keep some kind of clip in it to pull it out of my face if I am wearing it curly. I have hair that if washed, conditioned and air dried, will be curly~just enough...but I really enjoy the look of flat ironing my hair best~but this practice is damaging to hair which will require more cuts, so I don't do it all that often. I've known some girls who flat iron all the time~I'm just a "special occasion" fixer ;-)) This way my hair isn't getting a huge work out all the time! But consider it all...what can you live with and without? I really like beauty schools for cost and even a good deal of their services. Often you can get more than just hair services, but facials, manicures, pedicures and even hair treatments in addition to cuts and color. It's a huge saver! I also like have a relationship with my beautician too~as right now I have a friend who is caring for our hair who is a pro. I am not suggesting taking advantage of friendships either, but having a friend who can help is wonderful! Consider all your options...my friend's shop is about 10 mi from our home, and we patronize her, but we have a hair shop just three doors and around the corner. I'm sticking with my friend . .loyalty helps everything! Not just our budget!

When considering color, I have and I have not colored. I've had red colored hair, and most recently I lighten...but right now I'm alala natural ;-)) which is a nice mix of gray, growing out dark blonde and brown. I like highlights but on the heavy side, but for me I don't want it to look unnatural...ha ha! But I generally don't color but about twice a year so subtle is my way of going...I've had my hair dresser to the color~and I've colored myself. When blending, which I need to do right now, I will use a color to blend the light of the already processed and the darker of my own natural shade using a box color...I don't, as you can guess, go for the bells and whistles of all the fancy and expensive hair color that you can get at the pharmacy or discount seller or grocery~but a good basic hair color: did I tell you my girlfriend whose brother is a wonderful high end hair dresser was using a hair color at his suggestion with the ONLY difference being the price and that what she purchased came with a hair moisturizer for after the coloring? My beautician whose been doing this more years said that any conditioner works~so guess what girls? I am purchasing the $3 a box color instead of the $7 or $9~I have conditioner! AND this works just fine! PROMISE! I never used that old heavy in a tube conditioner anyway after coloring as it made my hair too limp~what about you? Ever tried it? Try it my way next time~see if your own conditioner won't work for you better and cost a whole lots less!

Another idea and one I've tried is get a family member or someone you know to work on your hair. This same friend, years ago, we used to fix each other's hair when we were going places together as single girls. It was fun back in those days, and today, if I am real sweet *grin*, my daughter will flat iron my hair for me...I mean: I fixed her hair for years and now she's working on mine ;-)) and are you old enough that your mother put in a "home perm" when you were growing up? We did so much including the rolling and hot ironing each other's hair for styles right at home. I've even now this was for Halloween as a kid, rag rolled my hair. If you don't know what this is, it's using strips of cloth to make curlers...instead of those spongy generally pink things...;-)) It's old timey and was used for years as a cost cutter!

Remember that style, color and maintence are your biggest considerations in hair care costs. Check out all the options for a look that is best on your budget...and if you can cut your child's hair then save here as well. I will CONFESS: One bad haircut too many and my hubby won't allow me to cut it anymore! But if we got really strapped, I am guessing that even he'd risk the Sister's scissors AGAIN! ;-))

SAVE on hair cuts, color/maintenance as best you can~it all adds up in the long run!

Oh! I forgot ONE HUGE THING~just remember HAIR GROWS just in case something you try doesn't work the way you intend~life is an adventure and 'it ain't all about that, anyway!"

blessings,

Using It UP Ideas~Bath Products

Do you love good smelling bath products? I enjoy them myself, but they can be costly if we don't be sure we are using them up before discarding the containers. It seems like there is always some product left in the bottom when it's no longer easy to get it out...I want to see an empty container~no product when it no longer pumps or is easy to get out! But as we all know, the container is not empty~there's always a little bit more in there~so here's what I do...actually depending on how the container is made.

For the pour type bottle, I will set or lean it so the product will flow through gravity to the bottom. Sometimes if the top won't allow for this, I prop it against something so it will have the gravity to flow toward the lid so I can get it out. I have wedged bottles upside down in between the towel bar in the bathroom too if it will fit~get creative so gravity will help get the last little bit where it's accessible!

For the tube type containers, I practice rolling up the bottom towards the opening. This is a method that works well with toothpaste too, but the different type of material for the kind of tube will hold the rolled shape with toothpaste, but not with most generally bath body wash tubes~so each time after you have found it near impossible to get any out, just start rolling. You can shake it down with the lid on and towards the ground a few brisk shakes. If this fails to produce results, then try rolling the end. Now if this fails, get your handy-dandy scissors and cut it open. This is not a container you can reuse and there isn't a good way to add water into it to "rinse out" any unused product...so cut the sucker open ;-)) Cut at the end so you can add water for one last bath with it~GET IT ALL OUT~use it up!

For the pump~I actually like these as I recycle the pump containers by purchasing new product to add into them. Since I add more product into them, there is not waste, but IF I were going to throw one away, I would "rinse it out" using water by unscrewing the top and then either pouring or using the pumper. Dilution doesn't have to be so thin that the effectiveness of the product is lost. Just dilute enough to cleanse out the container so nothing is wasted at you're using it up!

Bar Soaps~REALLY these are still sold and we use them! If you do too, they can be a great money saver~here's a tip: open the wrappers and let them set on the shelf to air dry before you put it out for use. I have read before that this doesn't work to make a bar last longer, but I have found that info to be false! It will last longer if the bar is air dried first. The other secret is to keep it in a place as it is used where it can stay air dried or drying. If it's left in a tub of water or on a pool of water beside the sink it will soften and melt...this isn't making it last for sure~so be sure it gets and stays dry after each use! NOW what can we do with those soap slivers? I have used my grater to shave them into small pieces; I have even used an old leg of panty hose...yeah, some still use these too, to put a collected handful of slivers and tied it to the tub for kiddo baths...this way the soap all stays together and the kids can have fun with a stretchy funny looking bath soap "thingy!" ;-)) Also I have tied this panty hose leg with soap onto the outside hose faucet for outside clean ups before kids come in the house after playing! Oh yeah...it's got some pretty practical uses to it because it you but the hosery leg with just enough length to tie a knot (if you aren't going to tie it TO SOMETHING) you can carry it to wherever you need soap just like a bar soap. It works well in camping and loads of messy outside clean ups! The hosery also acts like a scrubbie! For the flakes, I disolved them and put them into water for a hand soap. I have never cooked them on the stove to disolve them, but I have heard of it...I did use in my laundry once, but didn't like the results~could have been the brand of soap because some soaps have moisturizers that will not work well in clothing. You decide about using soap shavings in your washer~ok? But use it all up~don't waste a bit...find a way...AND if tell me too~ I am ALWAYS looking for ways to do more with what I have or with the less I have~ ;-))

Using it up~all of it~prevents waste, which, in the long and short run, is a money saver! The less I have to purchase as a result of the product lasting longer is GOOD for the ole pocketbook!

Let's keep at it~saving that is!
Don't forget to share your bath product saving secrets with me ;-))

Beating the Blues With No Green$

I love Blues music. Growing up in the south has acquainted me with the saltry sounds of blues, jazz and southern rock for years. . .there's a sadness, a cry to it underneath the tones that soothes and calms...Without sound finances, the blues could be more than a genre of music for us who are living on less than we once had or less than we had hoped or less than is adequate for our "needs." So how do we beat these blues without green$ or money? Many people find that the ability to do things that cost money, to bring loads of "joy:"travel, possessions, experiences and more can suddenly be out of reach and now there's a need~a void where something once was that NOW may or may not ever return...how can we be happy and joyful, beating the blues without the green$?



Here are some ideas:

1. Consider our 'mindset' to think about what's really important or satisfies.

I wrote about this an entry or so back...what satisfies you? Is it touchable by human hands or is it something that is inward, inside your being that does this? The ability to be satisfied is rooted in our priorities. God should be our number one, but then where do the other areas find their place in our lives? Prioritize the things and ideals of this life...

2. Create a plan to do something with what we already have as a ready and able resource. Huh?

Yes, look at what is available and within our grasp that we might not be utilizing to its fullest. Do we have a deck or porch, an out door swing? Get on it and listen to the birds! Sit in the sunshine for a few minutes and breathe the fresh air! Does it need scrubbing? Go do that! Sidewalk? Sweep it~clean it, edge it... While outside, hear, smell and feel all of God's beautiful nature! Take a walk. Pick wild flowers by the side of the road (as long as it's legal to do so!) Do you have a bike? Take a ride! Craft items unused~get them out~work on a project...does your office or school room or den or kitchen pantry need organizing? WHAT about creating something in the kitchen to eat? Do you cook? What is there to do? What is there to use up and or re-purpose for another item! Find a way to use those ready and able resources that are just THERE without us using them~busy hands and minds lifts the spirit!

3. Concert with true joy!

Music with positive effects will chase the blues and beat it! Turn on music when you can...I like a quiet home with the sounds so low that you literally hear the dog snore, birds sing and keyboard keys clicking, but some homes have the noise of the television and radio constantly around them. Is NOISE a problem? If so, quieten down the atmosphere. If quiet is too much, then add some musical sound~I like online radio and radio theature. I always have liked a good radio drama or story. I enjoy a dramatic reading of books and the Bible. These can be found online or at the libray to be borrowed for FREE~

4. Creation~God's showcase!

Living with a sense of the wonder of God and creation beats the blues with no green$ I have enjoyed looking at the sky from time to time. Did you ever like I did lay in the grass and watch the cloud formations change with the breezes to create different looks that could be most anything my imagination could see? I love looking and watching a sunset, sunrise and the moon cycle. I like star gazing and have been known to check out when mediaorite showers were occurring or other night sky activities. Appreciating God's creation lends itself beyond skyward watching but into all of nature. I love wildlife. We have a bunny living in our back yard~little wonder if our garden didn't survive, but my hubby put wire around it at the level his ears would have touched and he didn't like it, so he's pretty much left it alone! But I love bunnies and dear and raccoons, possums, beavers, badgers. . . I like turtles, not snakes so much or lizards, but most else...they are amazing! I enjoy the seasons watching our follage change with the times...ALL this stuff is FREE! Amazing that the greatest amusements are not man contrived and are true budget boosters!

5. Camp out for fun!

Do you camp? I am not a tent camper. In fact, we own an old OLD hard side shell camper with air just because I am not a real rough it kind of gal...but for vacationing, it's really less to go to state and national park camping sites for a few~going rates now for full hook ups are around $15-20 per night...Camping in the rough without bathhouses is less. . . I CAN see why! ;-)) But when we have vacationed, the camper provided our own home with our own facilities for minimal money. How cheap can you go? Is a good question here~but since I like to go this way...it works for us...tent camping if you already own it, or if you can borrow it or get it for a song is really less! But camping can really make travel affordable~and relaxation back to nature!

6. simpliCity~

Simplicity~I just realized that on my kitchen table is a mayo jar that we had cleaned out~I save these for bulk spices and left over storage in the fridge as well as craft projects and even kid science~bug homes! This jar has some wildflowers in it that I am certain my son went out and found beautiful that he has brought home to share with all of us. Simple? YES! But I wouldn't trade my mayo jar-vase and my son's flowers for the nicest boquet of roses I could be given~there's love in that bunch of flowers from a son to his family~simple? Oh yes...but also priceless! I've written about all kinds of things that can be used for things they were not originally intended for in their uses~but do the trick inexpensively...simplicity is an art form of simple which can lend itself to clean and oderly. Less really is more!

7. Cool cost saving water!

Water is a cost saver! Drinking water is healthy and loads healthier than almost any other fluid we can consume. First by drinking water, we will save on all the other drinks that we've been socially conditioned to drink...LET ME SEE...CoolAid, CokaCola, Pepsi, CountryTime, Tea-many brands...somehow have come to equate wealth or a sense of having, but as our ancestors and even the original peoples of society knew, water is at the VERY core of all of life! Drinking it is the best thing not only money but health wise...OH I forgot the very fashionable pricy coffees these days...I happen to not like coffee, so this is no draw for me~but it's a challenge to drink water, but so so sooo good to do so...whole towns and cities grew around clean and good water sources~now we can truck or pipe it in...the desert regions are populated...but water is essential to survival and it definitely beats the blues! Just turn on the tap...chilled or not...mmmm, it's so wonderful!

8. Celebrations can be cost savers

They need not break the bank! Simplicity is the key here too! But inviting friends and family into our lives to share our joys and even our sorrows beats the blues. Fixing a simple meal, desert or just a glass of tea or water. . .now our culture says we generally offer something! But it need not be elaborate! Gatherings can perk up the spirit. I like Christmas open houses, or New Year's Eve gatherings~these can be fun!

9. Country roads and rides...

Going for a drive~I like long country roads with nothing but trees and nature. My favorite road is called Stagecoach Road in Bloomingdale, GA where it once was an actual stagecoach trail with double ruts where wheels were pulled by horses...today it's paved from one end to the other and has grown with houses, but as a child riding this with my parents taught me so much about the landscape of how people travels before cars and the modern highway system...the trees overhung to the point of brushing our old stationwagon...the canopy was dense over where it was shady and cool. . . Where can you find the past in the view of your vehicle? These kinds of rides beat the blues by bringing a sense of wonder and curiosity~who was here? What did they do? Where did they go? I also like..OK, I am weird...cemetaries. I love old and historical ones with old old old old headstones and markers...I want to KNOW the people of the past...this must be part of my love for history! I am not saddened by these places as death is part of life, but find in the types of remembrances in the markers a testament to those who once lived. I come from a city full of history, but really no matter where you live, whether it's "historical" or not, it ALL is history...all places, people and things have a story to tell. . .I guess I just want to know...I care...So get out like I and find your community's history and story...these are pricess!

10. Contribute...

Tell your own story~share something about yourself or even share yourself. You can blog like I am doing~which is virtually free-we already have the items needed in computer and internet sevices, but sign up to share pieces of what you uniquely bring to others. . .visit retirement or rest homes for added boosts of busting the blues...in giving there is more receiving! I've never given that I ever received less than what I gave! God has seen to this in my life~and even in my most depleated worn out state, He has shown me that what I gave returned multifold. But share, give and reach out to someone~there's no price in this kind of love and goodness! AND it's generally free on our end of it...of we give of ourselves to show love with either listening or helping~can we volunteer in an effort to help? Can we show a help to someone who needs to know they are loved? Beating the blues can happen without money!

What are you doing to beat the blues, the depression that can accompany an economic downturn? What are you trying, have tried and how's it working?

Singing a little song and beating the blues...

Staying in Line. . .or On the Lines...or Lining UP!

You can chose today's headline for my thoughts today from my laundry "palace" where I don my 'fairy status' to get my family's duds all cleaned and prepared for another round of life!

With the washer swishing, the dryer dinging, and yup~the clothesline full~laundry is getting done as fast and best I can with my budget in mind.

If you don't have a clothes line, you could be missing a wonderful opportunity to save on your laundry expenses each month! Line drying is good for the really heavy items like towels, blankets, and blue jeans...not to mention the scent of freshness that the sunshine offers. If you've ever dealt with soured clothing or strong odors such as garlic, then you know how hard it is to get fresh smelling cloth from normal cleansing...try hanging it in the open air~not under a tree, but open where the breezes and sunshine can get to it...I used to hang all my white uniforms to keep them whitened because bleach can yellow some fabrics when I was working as a nurse. Of course these were the days when nurses wore white! But the only real draw back I can think of to line drying could be allergies for most situations, and of course weather...clothes won't dry in WET weather~duh!! lol!

Be sure that you monitor the weather when your clothing is out~rain water doesn't "hurt" it, but it can make the drying time a whole lot longer...

I sent out two huge loads...yeah, we use this many towels...and my hubby reminds me of a 70% chance of rain~well, I am monitoring the situation: any drying time is better than none! AND I can bring in "almost" dry towels and clothing and throw in the dryer to soften if they don't get totally dry. Note that your towels will be rougher, and if you will consider this, it could be a benefit for your skin...it will remove more dead cells and create softer skin~now if you have a condition that this would not benefit, I'd use what my doctor has recommends~but if not~give it a try! I have also put up drying racks and lines inside our home before as well! This was in a situation where our dryer was down~and it's not only rain that is a problem~clothes freezing on the line are no good too ;-))

Do you have a place? Can you string up a line or two to save some on your costs?

I have used the bathroom shower bar to hang clothes hangers with wet clothing~be sure and shake and straighten out the item before you leave it to dry...or it will need ironing! Oh how I detest this most! But if you hang your items carefully on the line or hangers, they will come out nice and ready to be either folded or placed in the closet...be sure the items are thoroughly dry too: they will sour and smell if not adequately dried before storage! Feel all over the article of clothing~especially the thicker areas like cuffs and collars, pockets and hems! BE SURE they are dry before storage!!

Another tip in clothes line procedures is to use care in hanging unmentionables~I always dry these in my dryer, but when I have not had access to one~in the past, I would hang these on inside lines between other clothing or items...I personally don't want to see peoples "drawers" on the line drying! It's too personal, but hanging them where they are privately drying is a good solution...call it PRIDE! ;-))

Line drying might be extreme~yes, some of the suggestions I make are that for sure~but if we want to consider thrift practices that are solid ways to live on less we should look at all the options~and remember this: it's not been all that many years that it was common practice~the ONLY practice for drying was line drying!

Hanging Out today~watching the sky~enjoying the breeze!

Having It ALL Means...

What? I mean...WHAT does having it all mean? There's so many definitions out there, and it's truly different for everyone. I was asked IF I could have anything what would it be? You know, like the question of the three wishes granted, kind of thing...well, I wouldn't know...I have what I need and much of what I want...although I could *think* of a few items, they were really insignificant. No. Seriously. What does "Having It ALL" mean to you?

Think for a moment. What's on your list that will make you fulfilled and satisfied? Is it things untouchable by human hands and only touchable by human hearts, or is it those things that rust and moths doeth corrupt? While each of us has a different idea, it's essential to figure out for our time here in this world just what is important to us.

Living on a budget need not limit the "ALL" that many wish to obtain. Actually budget living can help provide the means to obtain some on each side~heart and hands of having. When we learn to live within our set standards of living, it can make it an easier reality to either get by with less when times are lean or to save in the times of plenty so that in a future time, the wants and desires might be gained. But it all starts with thinking about what the "ALL" is for each of us.

We have been sold "down the county line" in the name of making a buck by marketers who are seeking to sell us their wares. It's not entirely bad or immoral that marketing exists! I just hate to see marketing that isn't honest or is veiled...and it's wise to note that everything is truly marketed. Branding is done to gain recognition in products and services. An unofficial definition is a product that becomes the name of a certain item. You will recognize these few: Kleenex, Band Aid, Coke (in some areas of the country this means soda in others~all carbonated beverages are Cokes) and one more, Swab Sticks. Hearing the name of the brand equals the product and whether or not the maufacturer makes the brand called Band Aid, most of us call all "self adhesive bandages Band Aid! Even just seeing certain symbols brings a product to mind~this is intentional. Think about those (all I have to do is say the description and you will know the business or product!) golden arches or that cute little colonel with the white suit and his hat with fried chicken~yes! I am talking about McDonalds and KY Fried Chicken!! The Nike symbol is another example. Often tied to these brands is a perception of wealth created by marketing that one brand is better than another~this is one result of marketing the branding, but when the perception of wealth is created by the marketing of products when wealth is not based on this is unscrupulous. 'Perception of wealth' is the notion that prosperity has been achieved because of the use, ownership or possession of a certain product. We have been convinced that certain things are "good, better, best" where names and types are concerned based on opinions and often the marketing. I have no doubt that products can be of different quality, but my issue is that perception is so strong it can bring dissatisfaction if we cannot have THAT particular brand. Sports shoes, purses, clothing, foods, A-list this and B-list kinds of things!! And this does what; I ask you, but breed in us a malcontent for what God has given us and what in truth will only satisfy the heart of a person~respect, love and honor. These are what money cannot buy!

We must focus our minds as we are making these hard decisions to change our habits into thrifty and economical methods that will bring satisfaction as debts are paid honestly and the ability to share and help others is achieved. Wealth building will not give us respect, love and honor, but it will bring a satisfaction when we are able to help our fellow man because we can and will. How can we help others if we are drowning ourselves in debt? The purpose of budgeting is not to make us rich for some self satisfying endeavor, but in order to help others with our own personal security. I can't give what I do not have myself. This applies to every area of life.

I am not seeking to "have it all" personally, but to have an honest attempt at taking care of my financial obligations and then having enough to share~to make the world a better place which will bring great satisfaction.

Remember that we have to recognize marketing for what it is, and the perception of wealth for what it is not!

Having it all means I am satisfied. . .

Recording Prices in Shopping for Lowest Price Buying

Do you have your notebook handy? I am always suggesting a notebook system of price recording and checking so that you can get the best deals possible. Have a page for each item and a line for each store~compare those prices! Where is it best to get which thing? Some of us shop different places for different items...I like one store for cleaning products like laundry soap, bleach, Mean Green and a few others. Then I like other places to buy bread and some other food items...it's a "dent can" store that gets damaged packaging products that sell for less than 50%! I don't care if the cereal box is dented, would you if the cereal is perfectly fine? It's the inner seal that counts!!

OK...

Take your notebook shopping with you and record prices as you go. Try to do this systematically. I know you will have to purchase some things before actually knowing the best price in which store, but as you go, if you anticipate purchases, record as you wander down each aisle. This week if I don't need self rising flour, but I am getting low, I will check prices while looking at sugar which I do need. Of course since I don't have a known price for sugar, I may go a head and get it until I can begin recording prices for this item...

We generally purchase pretty much the same foods so this isn't hard...just get that notebook~if you have kids, they can help you. Send the older ones (teens) off with a list to price ck...be sure to have them include brands b/c you will want to compare brand to brand.

If you work by a menu, then this is easier. Follow your list of needed items by what you are missing in your pantry. But if you just keep certain items on hand, then you can inventory before shopping~I also recommend cleaning out the fridge. Hopefully there are few items to be rid of, but cleaning and preparing for new items is a good idea before the fridge is full! Lists in the notebook will make finding and recording pricing by store a great way to KNOW who has the best deal on what item. You can do this for any purchase~even gasoline for your car. I have a few stations I watch for the best prices. . .when I see a drop or know it's the lowest, I try to purchase then! Those few dollars I save add up over time!


How are you price comparing to save $? I'd love to hear from you ;-))

Staying Well~Swine Flu Info

I wrote my "tips" for staying well during the upcoming colds, viruses, flu and winter seasons : http://sistertipstersthriving.blogspot.com/2009/08/ways-to-avoid-getting-sick.html but got to thinking about the media publicizing the possible and probable outbreak of swine flu or H1N1 virus. Let's go to the source on this; the Center for Disease Control or CDC has a few links concerning this outbreak that I think we all need to read. I'm not a fear monger, but I do believe in being prepared and as wise as possible. As a former practicing nurse, I can appreciate the CDC's authoritative recommendations to keep us all healthy. CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatyoushouldknow.htm

Stay WELL AND SAFE! This is a huge budget booster!! ;-))

Ways to AVOID Getting Sick~

I have a few tricks that really work for reducing germs from spreading around the home. Some are just plain common sense, and that's about a frugal as it gets! Others are less obvious, so follow along and think about these as school is starting back and loads of those nasty viruses are looming ready to jump on you or your family!

1. Avoid touching your face with your hands unless they are freshly washed.

2. NEVER drink from a water fountain. Bring your own water or bottled water from home. When my son was in school, I sent two water bottles to school for him to drink from, and he was rarely sick.

3. Wipe phones, door knobs, and other frequently touched surfaces in the home with a light solution of bleach water daily (if someone is sick, more often.)

4. Avoid eating a food bars. Have you EVER watched how people get their food off of those things? And there is constant hand contact with the serving utencils...ick!

5. When using a public restroom, IF YOU HAVE TO USE IT, in the first place, cleanse the seat or squat over it, then when hand washing, do this well, get paper towels to dry and ALSO to open the door when you leave. Imagine that someone did not wash their hands and touched the door knob~yuck!

6. Close the lid on the potty before flushing~there have been experiments proving that there is a spray of germs just from flushing~THIS IS TOO DISGUSTING, isn't it??

7. Wash your hands frequently~I keep a pump container of antibacterial soap on each sink (kitchen included) for frequent hand washing. Yes, the soap is costly or an added expense, but doctor bills are much higher!

8. Cover foods in the fridge for many reasons, but contamination is a good reason!

9. Change your pillow cases on your bed pillows frequently IF you are sick. Wash in warm soapy water and hot dry~do this as often as you can, to remove the germs as you are recovering and not to reinfect yourself or others (your spouse or anyone who might grab your pillow ;-))

10. If you are already sick, clean your toothbrush which is economical. I have boiled ours, but this can destroy them. You can use a bleach solution too, which will kill germs to sanitize it instead. Be sure to rinse it well and clean the container or holder well. If your budget allows, replace it instead of cleaning. There are recommendations for replacement anyway, but I use them until they are worn out first before replacing. . .

11. Be sure to change out hand towels frequently. OR use paper towels if someone is ill. To save, you could have the ill person in the family use paper and the rest of the family the less costly hand towel. Either way, be sure to keep it clean!

12. When shaking hands of greeting others, be sure to avoid touching your face and wash hands well afterward.

13. Use the hot dry on the dishwasher to sanitize dishes if someone is ill. Use the dryer to dry clothing too.

14. Wipe all surfaces well if contaminated.

15. For colds and congestion, run a cool mist vaporizer in the room to provide moisture. Be sure to clean well and handle in a clean manner.

16. Proper disposal of tissues~I like to use plastic grocery sacks to line small trash cans. They can in expensively and easily be disposed of without a worry!

17. I keep tissues readily available for the sick person for their use. It becomes THEIR box until the illness subsides.

18. Plenty of healthy fluids before flu season to keep the body strong.

19. Eating healthy with lots of fresh fruits and veggies keeps the body strong!

20. If temperatures allow, I like to air out our home and will spray with Lysol in corners IF we have a virus like cough and congestion that won't leave. I will also damp mop with vinegar water solution or hot water with a 1/4 cu of bleach. I prefer the vinegar, but if your floors will allow, the bleach will kill off many germs.

21. IF you are coughing and sneezing, the recommendation is to either sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow...the reasoning is that hands carry MORE germs than any other source!

These are just some economical ways to preventing or in some cases dealing with cough and colds season! Of course, if you are ill and need to see your family doctor, do so!!! AND if you are allergic to any of the cleaning agents or supplies I have mentioned, do not use them, but use another well trusted, tried and true product that will kill the germs that you are not allergic to.

I'm linking to the Clorox site for some info on prevention. I personally don't do the vaccines because the one time I did it was my sickest year EVER with flu! But you do as you feel comfortable and able to do ;-)) Also I wouldn't necessarily use the brand name product either. Often, store brands are the same with different labeling and marketing~so here's the site: http://www.clorox.com/healthier_lives/cold_flu/ Remember that you can use bleach on rags instead of their higher prices "wipes." WHATEVER did WE DO without such products?? Ha! Also paper towels work well too if it NEEDS to be disposable! Just some more cost saving thoughts!

Here's to staying WELL this season of colds and flu!
WHICH helps keep $$ in my pocket~plus I FEEL a whole lot better!! ;-))
SisterTipster

Thriving and HOPE

Hope is one of those words that means so many different things to people. I just know for me, without HOPE no matter my circumstance, whether it is financial, relational or situational, I have to have HOPE~

When it's bad~hope gives me strength and a vision.

When it's great~hope says "it can get better!"

When it's ok~hope offers me something different from WHAT AND WHERE OR HOW at this time...

Hope can bring a song, a spring to my step and a joy in my heart. . .

No matter what the situation, circumstance or place~HOPE!

I find great comfort in the Scripture, "hope thou in God" or in a modern (my own version) " HOPE IN GOD"~He is our hope...our future security and peace! This is helpful for whatever I am facing, whether it is physical, mental, emotional, financial, relational, geographical, situational~ALL the "ionals...in life"...

HE IS HOPE~

Thriving is HOPE and HOPEFULLY filled! We are not just merely existing in our place in this world, but buzzing along with the peace of God~from Him in HOPE!

Blessings~
SisterTipster<3

Pedicure Pampering~Simply!

There's nothing better than getting a pedicure for beautiful feet in swanky open toe shoes! I LOVE this kind of pampering~have had my share of "pro" done~but hey, in this economy, WHY deny myself such lux if I can do it in a budget boosting manner? Here's how:

The thought is that showering is less costly in time and money than tub bathing right?
PLUG the tub while you shower~it's an instant foot soak SAVING you money and time! Then right out of the bath, use your handy-dandy foot scrubber or even if you don't own one~here's an idea: get a kitchen plastic scrubbie~you know, the rolled round plastic mesh circle kind that comes in colors! It's about the same thing as an expensive foot scrubber and will cost less! Use this to go over your heels and any rough spots; then because you were thinking a head, rub your feet with baby oil. If you don't have baby oil, you can use olive or veggie oil~AND HERE'S THE BOMB...a doctor once told my brother to use veg shortening for his very very dry cracked heels...Of course IF you already have any of the expensive stuff, use it up...but otherwise...go for less~it really is MORE! Be sure to use an old towel to wipe off the excess and to wear a "designated" old pair of socks to keep the oils/grease (I know it sounds awful! ) on your feet for a luxurious moisturizing treatment ;-)) THAT saved money and time!

Supplies:

• Something to moisturize with: baby oil, cooking oil, olive oil, veg shortening, (or WHATEVER you already own!)
• Scrubber: IF you already own it, use it! If not, get a plastic veggie scrubbie (firmer and smaller than shower variety (costs less too!)
• Old "designated" socks just for foot care~they will be stained, so a pair of cotton socks will work best to give the "treatment" a chance to soak in.
• Warm water from your shower~just plug and let your feet naturally soak while you shower!
• Towel for drying!

OK..off to work on the garden produce~MORE later!
SisterTipster<3

Quick Tip!

When cooking, be sure to scape the mixing containers well using a rubber spatula or spoon to prevent waste. It's amazing how much can get left~LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND~including your appetite!
SisterTipster<3

Saving in the Bath Area~

After the post http://sistertipstersthriving.blogspot.com/2009/08/ways-to-leave-your-debts-behind.html I am thinking about other rooms that are money suckers from my budget. The bathroom is another room in our home without some tight controls and ideas could be an expensive adventure each week to replenish and care for.

1. Take an inventory of EVERYTHING stored in the bathroom. Look at it all from the medicine cabinet, toiletries, towels/washcloths, cleaning supplies~make up~anything and everything in that room. What's the condition of the shower curtain? Make notes in your Budget Boosting notebook!

2. Weed out what has expired or is worn out. Right now, I am not saying to throw away old worn towels and cloths, but separate them from the rest of the good ones, and be sure you have at least two per family member. You may even want to color code to family members if this would work for you. Some like to do this, and when my kids were little, I did it this way to teach them about caring for their own towel wash cloth, and they even had their very own PLACE to hang it so it was less in the wash and used several times with good drying time in between. I love those over-the-door drying racks for this with multiple levels you can hang. This is good storage space to use, and it can be attractive, that might not be utilized~AND it will dry those towels well! Many homes don't have enough drying space in the bath with wall hanging towel bars. If you don't have this option, then teach the kids to hang towels on hangers behind their own bedroom doors or even OVER the door. The idea is to air dry them so that they are less likely thrown down and heading into the wash with just one use. Towels can be used several times before laundering them is necessary. I want to note too, that money saving in this area extends to washing practices. Towels are heavy and require long automatic dryer drying time. I like to hang them to air dry almost totally, then toss in for a softening and sterilization with the heat of the dryer and freshening with my dryer sheets. I confess that good quality dryer sheets are used in my home. We own a historic home that will have static cling because of the dryness, and while there are all kinds of ideas from fabric softner on a wash cloth tossed into the dryer, to cutting into 1/2s or 1/3s, to buying discount types, I have never found any that performed as nicely as the good quality that I purchase. I just make sure that I don't waste them by not taking care that they go into the dryer and are used properly. (LOOKS like my next post should be Laundry room, huh?) OK~back to the bathroom!

2. Set aside those worn our towels and cloths. YOU decide what level of wear this is. For me, it has to have holes and be almost unusable. My motto: use it up! But you decide. This is a personal choice, but if you don't like frayed edges or thin, then maybe it's time in your home. Since I don't advocate throwing them out, there are other uses for them that make your choice IF we can afford new towels at this time and have the actual time to shop for them. (Another post idea, huh?)

3. The medicine cabinet usually stored in most bathrooms is a story in and unto itself. HOW OLD is that stuff? Is it stored in a way that is safe for your children (up and away) and usable? Bandage supplies handy? Cleansing supplies for wounds? Inventory this area, discard outdated items. List essentials to your family. In ours, we needed when our kids were little, band aids by the box. So I kept many out and available for easy reach along with peroxide and triple antibiotic cream. I actually had a place that the children as they got into elementary school could access the materials themselves: after a quick "check" from mom, they went and washed and bandaged themselves. This way with the check, there were no limbs falling off that they did not show me for more extensive care than what they could do on their own. But getting rid of the expired and restocking if you are out of items your family uses. We are huge peroxide users. Each person has their own bottle. We use it for oral care, wound care, ear care. . . If you have allergies, obviously this is not a choice for your family, but it's inexpensive, versatile and does the trick for many things! We each have our own shelf in the cabinet (just four of us) but also the vanity is divided too. I definitely recommend color coding in the towel area if you can, if not, then you could mark names or just GIVE each person their own towels to keep up with each week. TALK about a laundry saver! (I am back in that laundry room again! Gotta do a post...) If you have medications, they should not be stored in the bath where humidity can deteriorate them. I like a locking small tool box for these. When my children were small, we actually had a lock on it. Today, it's not locked nor for the most part are the meds in this box. But with this storage way, I never worried if they were eating the meds ;-)) I knew they couldn't get into them!

4. Assess the cleaning supplies. I am so totally frugal that I don't purchase all the bells and whistle cleaners for my bathrooms. I basically use a couple of things that I already have on hand to cleanse with. I use bleach to sanitize. As a former nurse, bleach has been used to clean and kill loads of bacteria for as long as I have known it, and if it kills what floats in public pools, then it should be good for my bath. It whitens grout well too. Now I have a trick for mold. Bleach will not kill it. I know this sounds silly, but it only takes the color out. WHAT kills it is household ammonia. CAUTION: Do not mix these in any way~so this is what I do: Use a scrub brush on the grout. Clean off as much soap scum, molds or whatever as you can with hot water first. Then either spray or pour on the ammonia and allow it to set. Over several hours, repeat this process a couple of times. If you can, open a window and shut the bath door. If not, use an exhaust fan and shut the door, and if these are not available, just shut the door. Let it work for at least an hour for two separate applications. When timed, go rinse, and RINSE WELL! Rinse and rinse and rinse and rinse some more...rinse until you are fully satisfied all the ammonia is gone. If you are in doubt, rinse again. Then after you have rinsed the tub area, to remove it ALL apply the grout whitening bleach full strength to the area. I like to pour, but if doing the walls, you can put into a sprayer and spritz down the walls. This is a fantastic whitening agent, and while bleach doesn't kill it, the ammonia does. You just can't mix them, but you can use both very carefully! AND this is inexpensive to use verses those products that claim to kill and remove. I already use bleach in my laundry room so I own it, and ammonia is inexpensive. I like to use a few products for a lot of purposes. I use one of those stiff bristled kitchen scrubber brushes to scrup the tub up~I STORE ALL BATH CLEANING ITEMS such as this brush, toilet bowl brush (separate kind) and cleaning rags for the bath in the bathroom in a small cleaning bucket. I like either an icecream bucket or a cookie bucket that keeps stuff together and useful. Now obviously if your children are small, be sure these items, especially the chemicals such as the bleach and ammonia are out of reach. But stored together makes putting a quick shine in the bath pretty quick! I purchase small headed inexpensive dollar store mops for my baths. These mops are small and can fit easily behind toillete next to the wall for easy cleaning. I use one seperately from the kitchen/household mop for sanitary purposes. I also have upstairs and down stairs bath mops/brooms. My time and effort is worth something!

5. Assess the shower curtain. Is it coming down, worn out, molded, dirty? I have a few thoughts and suggestions for this. Years ago, I used to purchase heavy vinyl good "quality" shower curtains to end up washing them in the washer, hanging them outside and the like. My shower curtain was lasting way too long! Now this may sound silly, but hear me out. If it lasts and lasts and lasts, and requires so much to clean it~taking it down, then up. . .is the cost worth this effort when you can purchase a nicely functioning curtain for a dollar and throw the thing away once a year! Now the $30 I paid for the heavier gaged plastic~and the work of cleaning and removing/reinstalling I now can take this on for the price of ONE dollar and SAVE on the cleaning efforts!! Not only is it my personal exertion I am saving, but money as washers cost to operate! AND it's 30 YEARS to recoup that investment on that heavy gage curtain~ha! Who WANTS to live with the peach colored or floral colored or stripes or whatever for THAT long??? Can you see why it's a better deal to spend more frequently on a less expensive/quality gaged plastic curtain ~30 years is a long long time! I am likely to either not want it that long for many possible reasons, or just flat out get tired of cleaning it! THROW the thing out and use the disposable ones~this is a switch isn't it! But you can find good uses for the old curtain each year you switch out. Drop cloths are a wonderful use. Let the kids play on it with the water hose outside too~
There is an issue with these less expensive shower curtains. The holes will often tear out. Here's a trick: Do you have masking or packing or duct tape? Run a strip across the top of it on each side. If you have a hole punch, make holes; if no hole punch, cut "x" shapes inside each hole area so the hangers will go into the slots! This will reinforce for much longer wear. I actually use a cloth curtain with these as liners. They work well, and like I said, 30 years is a long time. . .

6. To prevent mirrors from fogging up, use this trick: clean with shaving cream. Now don't ask me HOW this works, but it does. Something in the residue will prevent the condensation from forming. I clean the walls and window sills with hot to touch water with a splash of bleach.

7. Conquering the toilette bowl is easy with a brush that you frequently use to scour out the bowl. I use bleach to whiten the area and it provides a clean smell that will dissipate soon after it's flushed. Use only a small amount. Let set then flush. I wipe down the outside with a bleach solution too.

8. Utilizing the worn out towels can take on a couple of options. You can either re-purpose them by using them for cleaning rags, tareing them into small rags and storing them in the bucket, or you could take out the worn hole and make new smaller or cloths for continued service or a hand towel or even a bath mat for the floor. Now you will need a sewing machine and a zig-zag stitch, but it's do~able and can be a great use for that bath towel that is still good except for the hole it developed. I generally make cleaning rags because I make them small and we use a lot of them. I also use other materials for cleaning rags, but since I refinish furniture and paint too, rags are great to have!

9. Tackling toiletries means evaluating the use of them and purchasing accordingly. If you are convinced that your particular brand is the one you can't live without, then I will ask you to think about your budget for such items. Can you use a less branded item or costly one? Can you make it go further or can you catch a seasonal sale or even use another money saving system such as a coupon or buy one get one 1/2 ESPECIALLY if you know the price during the off sales. IF you can save money on this, this is a good place. I was thinking while washing my shoulder length hair about saving money on this just yesterday morning. I use a inexpensive shampoo that I buy is a big a container as possible for my family. I also use two small amounts to shampoo my hair rinsing in between well. But I have to say that I generally only shampoo twice a week. If my hair is color treated, I can wash once a week as it tends to have less oils. But I do definitely condition well. I use a very small amount of a good conditioner, one that I use just on the ends of my hair~we are advised by hairdressers not to use it on the scalp as it can clog up the pores. This works well for my hair as I don't blow dry it either, but let it air dry. I save on a couple of fronts. First as silly as it sounds, time and money are saved without using the blow dryer. Now I have some natural curl which responds well to the "wet head" look until it dries and then I brush it out. I considered cutting my hair so it would take less products, but then realized that actually shorter styles are more costly to maintain shape and then styling is necessary. I am working at living with about 2-3 cuts a year for myself. I go from a chin length bob to something touching my shoulders before I head to my beautician. To save on cuts, you can use beauty schools which I have done in the past. They generally do a good job wanting to please the patron so it's a good deal. I've had an occasional mishap too, but the instructors want the patron satisfied too, so I have also had correction which is a wonderful learning situation for the student. My philosophy is that nothing is un-fixable~hair included. IT WILL GROW! So with all said, hair care products can be made more economical.
Soaps and skin care is another area to consider. I enjoy shower gels and find that some have a more lasting quailty with their scent, which allows me to save on perfumes. But then there are other times I don't want this benefit, so I use economical hand soap for shower gel and even still use the old fashioned bar soap. For the hand soap, I buy in volume and pour into old recepticles for easy use. The bar soap I open and store unwrapped so the bar will harden and last longer. It really does! I know there was a debate about this some time ago~but you will see if you practice this. And hey, bar soap is a good deal and our men have to bathe with something! NO flowery men for me!

Tackling the bath with Budget Boosters! What are you doing to save in the bathroom? Any making it last ideas? Share them with me for an entry into the Debt Busting Hop Contest for a $10 Walmart card!

Budget Boosting/Debt Busting Mama!
SisterTipster <3

The Fried Egg Told It All~

In http://sistertipstersthriving.blogspot.com/2009/08/ways-to-leave-your-debts-behind.html#links I suggested for easy cleaning which saves TIME and money, not to mention ELBOW grease, that either you rinse dishes as they are dirtied OR you soak them or wash them right up. Now I have to tell you that today was a perfect example of just this kind of thing I am talking about. I got up this morning and hubby had fried himself some eggs~now I have no problem with this. But I share this so you can see the REAL LIFE example of what can happen if someone does NOT take care of the plates, utensils and fry pan. I found these little goodies about four hours later, and you can imagine what it was like, right? So I thought that in order to save on my time, effort and money, I'd soak them all in the hottest water I have out of the tap for about an hour. THIS SHOULD DO THE TRICK I was thinking. NOT! I got over to my sink and had to really really REALLY hunker down on that fried egg all stuck to the skillet. It was obviously not a nonstick, but a stainless steel fry pan (Revere Ware) which are great pots and pans. This fried egg mess took not only an hour of soaking, but also took about 30 minutes of my scrubbing with a green Scotch Bright pad for non stick and no scratching. I was just about ready to get out my fine steel wool which I do hold out for messes that won't release, when it all came off. But whew! THAT fried egg almost had me~So remember to rinse, soak or wash right away to save your last nerve, your efforts, and your money. That pan took way too much effort and hot water/soap not to mention the use of my scrubby.

LESSON LEARNED~now can I convince. . .
Taking Care of my money so it won't leave me!
SisterTipster <3

Sign up for SwagBucks to earn prizes AND join in the contest: Debt Busting Hop $10 Walmart gift card! Whoohoo!

Ben Franklin Was Right!

A penny saved is a penny earned!

As a stay at home mom (SAHM) I have to be thrifty. But I can tell you three years ago before my husband and I became convinced of our bad ways and convicted of our displeasing ways to God, I wan't even thinking that dirty word, budget! I was spending merrily along shopping constantly and buying constantly. While many of the things I bought were discounted from retail or from the secondary market in some way or virtually FREE, I had to access my ways. I had to take a good hard look at myself and my practices and see what our future could entail IF I did not change some of my spending habits in favor of a solid plan with my husband for the future. Today hubby and I are on the right path having NAILED our credit cards with a good ole fashioned pair of scissors putting them into shreds having called and CANCELLED them (be sure you do this!) and refuse to purchase on credit cards EVER again! We are paying the piper too for our ill gotten gains in long term debt repayment or else the bankruptcy court would have been our next destination. Since our convictions of livng as honest and upright as possible, this was not an option we could easily embrace and STILL work to avoid. Having the home unsold in another state despite the move to where God has us serving AND with better economic forecast, it's a challenge to remain on course. But the challenge is here! I am on it! Working my way back to living well as I have been doing thus far by the blessings of God and His help in finding better ways of managing our money. This week alone, I am so thankful to say that in planning our homeschooling curriculum that I saved~I am so excited about this, upwards of $500! How you might ask me? Some wonderful networking and thrift comparrison shopping. To discuss both, let me say that there are several methods of saving money for things needed to do just about anything we need to do. My mother said that God blesses her by putting "just what I need, when I need it at a price that is fantastic so often!" This week we experienced the same! Thank you God!

I was facing more than my budget would allow. God knows what we can afford and what we need, right? Am I to wait or do without entirely? Am I to continue to search, shop, evaluate, look, compare? Sometimes He says NO to my requests, but then like this week, the blessings fall and I am amazed!

Ideas for shopping/obtaining for curriculum:

1. Check out every resource you can think of who carries your desired product. Compare those features and prices with all other pertinent info like time frames and features. Remember the notebook I suggest when going into stores, haul it out for this too. Create a new page: Curriculum. Put the items in a row and put all features in a column so you can compare. THEN go look around.
Look at all the book sellers: Amazon, Christianbook.com, Elijah Company, Rainbow Resources
any and all you can think of to compare. Google the titles so you can find just what you are looking for at a price you are willing to pay.

2. If you would like FREE there are several resources I know of: Yahoo groups has a Free group for homeschooling products with a no chat feature, and there are "distressed homeschool " curriculum sites for those who may be suffering in ways like financial and even loss of a parent. I have seen these and even blogged about them before .

3. Networking by doing homeschool product reviews will also yield products and services for your homeschool. These are often free products for your word of mouth advertising called "viral marketing." I do reviews and was a part of The Old Schoolhouse Crew first year's maiden voyage. This yielded many items we used and will use in the years to come! Also the relationships are invaluable in this area. Sometimes fellow reviewers will "share" resources to give other valuable reviewers opportunities too. I have benefited by all of these resources, and while reviewing is work, it's a great way to get what you want and need. The only down side is when you agree to review a product that you find you don't like (I have had this happen) OR one that your kids hate OR find that it is disruptive to your schooling schedule. For us, entering high school, toning back was a good idea as well as careful choices over what we'd review. I don't review younger children's material as a rule because my children are older, not that I can't have a very good opinion of it and a good description, but the "test drive" is difficult is the age range is off. Just some insight for thought if you consider this for your family.

4. Crate your own resources is another way that I haven't heard of much, but I have done it for years actually. I have done things myself instead of purchasing items that may or may not be what I am looking for~for example: this time, I wanted a good AFFORDABLE writing curriculum with some very specific features. I began writing my own lesson plan based on my own personal knowledge of my children, their learning styles AND some already owned resources. (Anybody out there a curriculum junkie like I ONCE was??) Then I ran across some freebie sites that fleshed in the concepts and ideas that met the goals I was seeking. In my earlier search for a produced product, I even joined a group with loads of things to read from list members about their personal use and questions of that particular product. When I realized this was too expensive and did not meet what I feel we need, I moved on from it and unjoined the group. After looking and creating, although I was in mid-process, I was shown a product that met so much more of what I was looking for in a writing curriculum, so I began researching pricing. Then I found it for 1/2 off which made it extremely affordable that was usable for both myself AND my children for ONE low PRICE! The offer was time sensitive and so after several weeks of emailing questions to the company customer servie, reading their website and then looking all over for a better price, I ordered. I am satisfied I met all the criteria for a great deal for us~You can read about the curriculum choice !

Joining a homeschool buyers co-op has saved me money too. This is how I found the best price on the writing curriculum!

I am feeling pretty "rich" with my curriculum and curtain choices at prices that are incredible.

Since Ben is right, I have gainfully earned a nice chunk of change for my family for items that while essentially we don't NEED curtains (We have shades on all windows, this was for decor.), they add so much to the way we live, we most certainly enjoy and do need for that pleasure! I want to add to that there is value in those curtains again with heating/cooling insulation, but also in educational knowledge. I am going to teach my daughter how to make them! It's a skill for life~one day she might want a bright "burple" color LOL, and hey, she can make her own for that go around!

Ben is RIGHT~A penny saved IS a penny earned! My Lincoln$ are safe!
SisterTipster<3

Contest~Leave a FRUGAL Secret. . .

Share YOUR favorite Frugal SECRET. . . HERE with SisterTipster!
Do a shout-out to everyone and share your secret for saving some CA$H!

WIN $25 Gift Card

Contest Ends: August 1st~hey, enter as many times as you can think of ways to save money in this economy~Random drawing and be sure to leave your email or contact info ;-))

Let's have some fun~
Here's mine: Save money each week by bringing your own drinks to work or as you travel. This saves on those drive through expenses when the kids are thirsty or you need a drink at work! OR ask for complementary water when you drive through. They're FREE!

WIN~~~~~ $25 GIFT CARD~~~

blessings
SisterTipster <3>***This week, on TUESDAY, 7/14/09, the theme is THREE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME!. You can express this with photos, writing or a combination. Here is a sample I did: http://www.mcklinkyblog.com/2009/07/mcklinky-photo-blog-for-july-14-2009-3.html ... Do not change any part of this code except for text that falls between (and includes) the opening and closing asterisks. Between the asterisks is where you place your content. DO NOT CREATE NEW MCKLINKY LIST. WE ALL USE THE SAME LIST. DO NOT CHANGE THE LIST ID BELOW. Be sure to enter your own link to your own blog post as soon as the blog hop starts! Link directly to your blog post, not just your blog. blessing and HAVE FUN, SisterTipster***

It's ALL About Living and Loving on LESS!

I promised to share my story of why I am SisterTipster and how I see the world where homeschooling and finances are concerned.

First I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, fellow homeschooler and thrifty-wise being who long before blogging became popular thought up the idea that as hard and as joyful as life can be sometimes, that somebody ought to offer tips on what is helpful, useful and good to make the journey a little easier. Well, when I was selected to join up with the TOS Crew for 08-09 Maiden Voyage, I needed a name~and SisterTipster was born. She was born out of a desire to help others along the way and continues in this mission offering what I find all around me to help with all areas of life. Sometimes I will discuss current trends from a distinctly Christian and Biblical worldview or offer up free or really good deals that I have found to be of use in our lives whether it's homeschooling or just being a family.

Living and loving on less is really my personal mission and sharing these secrets is my global mission. I want to share with you wonderful resources that you can use to make your life better. I have considered monetizing my blogs, but at this time, have decided that I prefer the ministry aspect of sharing with friends~blogger to blogger, friend to friend, homeschooler to homeschooler. You will see reviews where I've received products from vendors for my thoughts and insights and then you will see reviews on things that I have come across in my everyday life too that I belive could be helpful.

I invite you to join me, you can sign up to follow me on this journey of Thriving With No Green$! In these economic times I hope it's fresh and appealing to know that SisterTipster cares about saving money~not just MINE~but yours too and will look to help in any way I can.

You will see old posts that offer some wonderful insights, go ck out the archives. They are relevant and timely too~I just wanted to find a new site to offer a different format for my blog~

Thanks for stopping by and VERY SOON I will announce a new contest~
Congratulations Tina for winning the $25 Gift Card of YOUR CHOICE !!!
blessings
SisterTipster<3