Frugal Wedding Tips

No matter how bad the economy gets, people will still have babies and get married. You don't have to spend thousands to have that wedding of your dreams. The first step is to figure out a realistic budget. You don't want to start out your new life still paying on your wedding years later. We saved a lot of money by doing many things ourselves. We had a buffet style lunch, which is actually very common in this area, and we were able to buy the items at a good discount through a food distributor. You can save money on alcohol by getting kegs of beer and boxed wine or skip it completely. I know some people have saved money by having a cash bar.

There are many great sites that have quality wedding invitations at a fraction of the cost. Many of these sites also have wedding favors like napkins and such. You can buy your dress on clearance or it might be cheaper to have it made. Of course this would be cheaper if you know someone that might offer a discount, and if you want a simpler design. We also saved money by skipping the limo since the hall was so close to the church. You can also save money by doing the bouquets yourself or someone you know. You might be surprised at how many people have a talent that can help you. Many people will offer a nice discount or do it for free as a wedding present. I got our wedding cake this way. My mom had a cousin that owned a small bakery, and we asked her to do my cake. She offered to do it for free as a present to us. All we had to pay for was the topper which cost us $25 at her cost. I also saved money by using a tuxedo shop that offered us a great special. If we rented 10 tuxes, then my husband got his free. That wasn't a problem since we had 8 groomsmen, and both the dads also wanted to rent a tuxedo. We did pick simpler tux but it still saved us $80. There are many great ways to save money and still have a wedding you will never forget.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #53

Today's thrifty tip is buy your wrapping paper and gift bags now for next year. It's not always easy to find solid colored items, but I do find a few which is great to use for birthdays and other occasions. I really like the gold and silver for wedding presents. I also buy my greeting cards for next year. Many stores are offering 50% and, if you wait until next week, then you can get 75-80% off. Of course they are picked over more and less good items to choose.

Apologies To My Readers & EC Droppers

I have to say I'm sorry for not dropping at EC as much the last couple of weeks. I also have to say I'm sorry to my readers for not writing as much. I've been so busy with the last several weeks getting ready for Christmas, doing a Tupperware event with my mom, and volunteering a lot more at my son's school. I have been neglecting my other blogs more and barely keeping up with this one. I need to learn to manage my time a little better than I am right now.

I'm hoping that I will be able to start substitute teaching at my son's school after the Christmas break is over. The pay is pretty good for a mom who hasn't worked outside the home in almost 9 years. I sold on Ebay for the last 8 years and made enough money to supplement our income nicely. To be honest I'm bored. I have done the SAHM thing long enough. I want to get back out in the world of people again and, while I love chatting with some of my online friends, it's just not the same. The school said I would be able to work pretty much 40 hours a week. The schedule is great since I go to work and leave at the same time as my son, no weekends, and I get the same vacation so this is perfect. If I decide that I like working at the school, then I am planning on taking the para test so I can become a teacher aide next August. I'm excited about this new opportunity, but I will keep up with my blogs. I still enjoy writing them, and I plan on waking up earlier so I can still have time to write and drop before school.

I also have some changes in store for next year. I really want to do more contests and giveaways on all of my blogs. I also want to do more product reviews. Some of the reviews won't be compensated, but just something I want to do. I'm also curious about some of these "As Seen on TV" products. These reviews will be completely honest and not biased in the least. I might even give a few of these away. Definitely come back next week on New Year's Eve. I won't give out details yet, but it will tie in with goals and changes for the New Year.

I hope everyone has a very safe and Merry Christmas!

This Old Floor

I love living in an older house. I always knew I wanted to live in one with original wood flooring when I bought my first house. Old houses have so much character and charm to them. I get a certain feeling when I walk into one like they are telling me a great story from the past. We are trying our best to preserve our house and not modernizing it. We are slowly making the house look as nice as it did when it was built. It just gives me a great sense of pride and accomplishment as I finish another project. Older homes aren't for everyone, but I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Aloe Vera for Acne?

I have used many different acne creams and face washes over the years. Using aloe vera is the best acne treatment to help keep my acne under control. I start with a good oil-free facial cleanser and then an oil-free moisturizer. I usually apply the aloe vera after washing and before the moisturizer. The aloe vera is helping to heal some of my old acne scars, and it's really great on existing pimples. I have a plant and just break off a small piece. The most important thing to remember when treating acne prone skin is to use oil-free products and cosmetics.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #52

Today's thrifty tip is make some handmade gifts this year for Christmas. Not only does it save money, but you can give a gift that is more personal and better suited to the recipient's taste. It's also nicer since it comes from your heart. The best part is it can be anything. If you have a great talent, then use it to make gifts. If you have a loved one that has small children, then make a coupon to babysit one night or day for them. It could be a gift basket filled with items that you know someone would really enjoy. You can also make gifts in a jar like mixes and just write the directions on a nice card attached to the jar. There are many different kinds you can make from hot chocolate to soups, and even candy mixes. You can also do this with bath salts or milk bath. I made this over the weekend with my mom to hand out small samples in our Tupperware containers. All we did was combine powedered milk with a box of Calgon or store brand powdered bath. Make sure it's not bubble bath and powdered form. Just combine the two in equal parts in a container. Just be creative and it's amazing what you could come up with when you do.

Weekend Getaway

My husband and I haven't had a vacation since our honeymoon. That was well over 10 years ago. We are planning our first family vacation next year to Walt Disney World. I thought it would be wonderful to have a nice weekend getaway, just the two of us, for our anniversary next year. I have never been to Las Vegas and would love to go one day soon. We aren't really into gambling, but there is so much to do and see on the strip. The best part is there is usually a great special combining air fare and las vegas suites to make the deal even sweeter.

Nostalgic Cleaning

I was helping my dad clean out his garage over the weekend. It's amazing the things this man still owns. We found boxes of old computer components, games, and even a couple of tape drives. He also had boxes of comic books from when he was a kid and baseball cards. I'm helping him to sell his treasures on ebay. It was a nice trip down memory lane. I even found a couple of my old items I had as a kid.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #51

Today's thrifty living tip is extend the life of your clothes with simple alterations. What I mean is cut long sleeve shirts into short sleeve or jeans and pants into shorts. Of course you would either need some basic sewing knowledge or know someone that could do this for you. My mom is an excellent seamstress and does sewing jobs for me. I do know how to sew but I don't have a machine, and I don't really enjoy sewing like she does.

I mainly do this for my son's clothes. This is really great for uniform pants so I don't have to buy shorts since the pants are usually too short for the next winter. They will still fit nicely in the waist so this is ideal. I know I save at least $20-30 by doing this plus I donate them so less in the landfills. My mom does an excellent job hemming and you can't tell they weren't bought this way. I also have done this with his winter pajamas and jeans. I have bought a couple of knit shirts that were on a great sale, but I really wanted short sleeve. I paid $3 each and I wear short sleeve more since weather is warmer more during the year. Wear your favorite item longer with a simple alteration.

Get Cozy this Winter

Even with the recent drop in gas prices, many things are still expensive like heat. I am very fortunate not to live in a cold climate. I don't have to use my heat as often as many others. If you are trying to keep your heating costs down, then lower that thermostat and get cozy by using an electric blanket to keep warm.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #50

I hit a milestone today readers. This is my 50th TMR tip of the day. I really enjoy writing these, and I do apologize for not actually posting one each day. I'm trying really hard not to repeat any of these. Now, without further commentary, on to the actual tip.

Today's TMR thrifty living tip is bring your own containers when you go out to eat for leftovers. My friend and I were discussing this the other day. She has a favorite Chinese restaurant, but they put her leftovers in a styrofoam container. We know this isn't good for the environment. So she now brings in a small food container, which can be anything, that she has in her purse. They could care less, and it's another small way to help with trash reduction in our landfills.

Do You Know a Sports Fanatic?

Then you should really think about buying them sports gifts for the holidays. My husband loves getting LSU Tigers shirts, hats, and even books. Last year I bought him a book about college football that he still keeps reading over and over. I always try to buy things that people have a passion for whether it's sports, cooking, games, or whatever. It's a gift they love and will use again and again.

Save Money by Fixing Leaks Yourself

Most people want to call a plumber the moment they notice their kitchen faucets are leaking. Sometimes it's an easy fix that could save you at least a hundred dollars or more. First turn off the main water valve, then put some rags inside the faucet neck. You don't want water spilling on you. Then you will see a nut that connects the faucet to the fixture, so unscrew it to take off the faucet. Then check to see if the washer is old. Replace it if it is and check to see if that stops the leak when you turn the water back on. If not then it could be either you need a whole new fixture or you need a plumber.

November 10 Top Droppers

I just wanted to post my top 10 Entrecard droppers for the month of November. First I would like to thank everyone that drops on my blog daily. I really appreciate it. I also try to drop on everyone daily. Thanks again to all my droppers. I'm showing a little link love. All the blogs below each dropped all 30 days in November. They show the last 31 days, and check out these great blogs!

Random Ramblings

Computer-Aid

Dungeons and Dragons Corner

Lofty Matters

Is 8 Enough?

More than Sew So

"Cents"able Momma

Symphony of Love

Darnuth Keep

Alteredevents

TMR Frugal Living Tip #49

Today's thrifty tip is to reuse and rewash food containers and plastic ziploc baggies. I'm sure you have read this tip before but it's such a great one. I never reuse anything that contained raw meat. I love those small plastic containers that deli meat comes in. My husband uses these to hold his bolts, screws, and nails. They are clear which makes it easier to see what is inside. They stack nicely. I also like to these for leftovers to give to other people. I never give out my Tupperware containers and use these instead. They make great containers to use for homemade goodies and treats.

Changing Technology

I just find it amazing how quickly technology is changing. I bought a 2GB flash card about 6 months ago for $25. I just went to the Black Friday sale at Office Depot and could buy a 16GB flash card for $30! I know it's a loss leader to get you in the door to hopefully spend more, but I was still shocked at how much memory you got for the price. One thing I do to save money, with so much new technology coming out, is to wait a year or two to buy it. I also try to buy used when I can. If you are in the market for a used cisco, then save yourself some money.

I Can't Believe I Won!

I posted last week about the $50 Amazon giveaway that World of Mom was hosting on her blog, and I was the lucky winner! It was a great way to start my Thanksgiving Day. I have to give her a big THANK YOU and, I had a lot of fun spending it today. I was able to buy several great DVD movies that I wanted but was too cheap to buy. I rarely win anything so this was a wonderful surprise and I'm still smiling.

Give the Gift of Wine

Sometimes it's really hard to think of a great present for certain people I know. You know the ones that seem to have everything so you never know what to buy for them. My dad is one of those people so this year I'm getting him a wine of the month club for Christmas. I know he will love this since he loves a good bottle of wine.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and sorry I didn't post this earlier. Most of my family went out of town this weekend visiting other family members. My husband had to work on Friday so we couldn't go anywhere. We still had a nice Thanksgiving at home and it was quiet. We cooked a turkey breast and I made a broccoli casserole, pumpkin pie from scratch, rolls, and rice with gravy. His sister came over for dinner with her husband. If you ate too many goodies then you could use alli to help shedding some of those pounds. I have lots of turkey left so I can't wait to make some sandwiches. I love eating leftover turkey.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #48

Today's thrifty tip is keep your thermostat lower to conserve heat. For each degree lower it will save you 2% on your heating bill according to most institutes. I don't run my heater as much during the winter since I live in sub-tropical weather. When I do have to run it, then I keep it set at 65 degrees during the day. It does get chilly in the house so I just wear warm clothing. At night I still keep it around 65 degrees. Many experts say you should turn the heat down to 55-60 degrees at night. My husband would never go for this. I am on natural gas so my bills aren't extremely high. There are many days we don't even turn on the heat like yesterday and today. My monthly average over the course of a year is right under $50/month. I pay $25 during the summer months for my gas water heater, dryer, and stove. I don't use the dryer that much either except during winter.

Investing in a programmable thermostat is another great way to keep your house energy efficient. If no one is in the house during the day, then you program it to keep the house cooler during the winter and warmer in summer. You can also program it to have it start warming the house up right before you wake up in the mornings. Have it get colder when it's time for bed. I need to invest in one for myself.

Keep Your Home Protected

Home surveillance cameras are gaining popularity among home owners. You can record the activities inside your home as well as use outdoor surveillance camera to keep your property safe. These systems are great for monitoring workers as well as intruders. These systems are easy to install yourself and low priced. Keep your home and business safe with a home surveillance system.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #47

Today's thrifty tip is use plain water instead of windshield wiper fluid. I use plain water and haven't noticed any difference. I have seen many recipes where you can make your own using either vinegar, dish liquid soap, or rubbing alcohol. The problem with using any of those ingredients is it could harm your hoses and/or seals over time. I do buy windshield wiper fluid, but if I run out or can't find a good sale, then I do use just water. I also don't live in a climate where I experience freezing weather. I don't have to worry about fluid or water freezing in my reservoir. I find the water gets the grime off.

Great Festive Frames

I can't believe that the holiday season is almost here again. I just love the decorations, colorful clothing, and great food. Now I have a really fun way to display my holiday spirit with eyeglasses. Zenni Optical is offering Holiday frames. They have a really great selection of fun and colorful eyeglass frames. I saw many red pairs and some with decorations on the sides of the arms like a rose or a funky flower print. They also have green frames and others that are more of a plaid. My favorite pair is the clear with red stripes since it reminds me of a candy cane. These frames are extremely affordable and priced right under $10. Nothing is over $30 so at these prices you can easily afford to change your frames to match your festive spirit. They also have plain colors for those that aren't as adventurous.

I love how light these frames are while wearing them. I don't even feel them on my face most of the time. My husband has also bought two pairs at this great website. I get lots of complements on my eyeglasses. If you want to save money this holiday season, then you really need to check out Zenni Optical. Give yourself a great bargain.

Win a $50 Amazon GC at World of Mom!

I was visiting my friend at World of Mom and she is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate! This is perfect and just in time for the holidays and Black Friday. The rules are also extremely easy and it's open to everyone. Just create a post on your blog linking back to her post (1 entry per blog), and then fill in the form with your name and site url. Also leave a comment on the post. That's all there is to it. I told you it was easy. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 26th, which is the day before Thanksgiving. Good luck and I know that I would love to use the gc to buy some video games.

Click Here for $50 Amazon Giveaway

Don't Gain Weight This Holiday Season

The holidays are fast approaching and we all know what that means. Lots of delicious food but fatty and starchy foods like rolls, stuffing, pies, and much more. That's just the start with Thanksgiving. There will be even more eating and lots of candy and cookies during the Christmas season. Let's not forget all the treats that will still hang around even after the first of the year. So get a jump with diet pills to help keep off those excess pounds. Starting an exercise program now will also make it easier to lose any weight you may gain. Skip those second helpings as your pants will thank you.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #46

Today's thrifty tip is plan your meal the night before. I know that many experts want you to make up a 7 day menu, but that's not realistic for us. Even if I did keep in mind all the activities or other planned events, that wouldn't take into consideration all the last minute changes. Let's be honest that things do change at the last minute. I honestly prefer to plan my meal either the night before or first thing in the morning. I thaw out all my meats or frozen leftovers in the sink with cold water by that afternoon. It still gives me plenty of time to cook a nice meal. This is what works for me, and maybe going by a weekly menu works better for you. Another benefit is if the weather is cold, then I know I can make a nice soup or something to warm us up. I don't like to eat gumbo in the summer and this is the perfect weather for a nice bowl of it.

Losing Weight

I know many people that have trouble losing weight on their own. They use a diet pill to help them. Make sure you know what the ingredients are before taking it. Another good tip is know all the possible side effects. If you are still unsure, then please talk to your doctor first. It's really better to be safe than sorry.

Recent Score!

I recently scored on some kids clothing for my son. I went to my church thrift store that was having a bag sale. I love these since you fill as much as you can for a set price. It was for a buck! I was able to fill two bags. Here is what I got for $2!

3 pairs of jeans
1 pair of pants
1 pajama top
9 shirts

The shirts were all Old Navy brand and one of them still had the tags. It was a $25 shirt. The jeans were Class Club and can't remember what brand the pants were. He can wear a pair of the jeans, pants, and 2 tops now. Everything else is for either next year and for the near future. It was all winter clothes. I paid 15 cents per item. I just had to share since I've almost given up on buying him used clothing. I've been having a hard time finding him nice used clothing so this was great.

Save More with FindSavings.com

I love shopping online while sitting comfortably in my house. I save money by not having to drive from store and store, and there are no big crowds to fight. What I like most about online shopping is finding great coupon codes for a percentage off, free shipping, or both. Find Savings is a great website that has the newest coupon codes listed for your favorite online merchants. The site has a great variety of stores with over 400 merchants listed. I really love the different search options that is available. You can search either by merchant, category like Toys and Games, or by the type of coupon code. I can search for free shipping codes, dollar off amount, a percentage amount, and many other options. I find the site is very easy to navigate and well laid out.

As I was searching the site to get some holiday shopping done, I came across an offer for free shipping at Disney Shopping website. When I clicked on redeem this offer, it opened a whole window. I love this since I won't lose my place on the site. Another store I love to shop is Target. There are many offers available right now including free shipping. Another great feature of this site is it shows the expiration date of the offer. So many coupon sites don't put list the expiration date. You never know if it's a current offer or not.

FindSavings.com is a valuable tool for your online shopping to get the best deals possible. You can also snag some great deals that will be ending soon by checking out their list of expiring coupons. I saw some great offers for airline and hotel deals. This is great if you are planning on doing any traveling this holiday season. Don't miss out on another great deal, and check out all your favorite stores today.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #45

Today's thrifty tip is to invest in an extra freezer. My freezer on top of the refrigerator is pretty small so I can't really put much in it. I love to buy in bulk when I see a great sale on meats, frozen veggies, butter, cheese, and such. I also like to cook in double and triple batches to freeze the extras in smaller containers. I know some people are worried about the costs of running an extra freezer. The one I own only runs me an extra $5/mo in electricity. The savings in stocking up on great sales and not eating out will pay for itself easily in the course of a year. I got mine on a great clearance sale (less than $300) six years ago. It still runs perfectly. We are a small family of three, but I still like to have meals ready to go on those nights we don't feel like cooking or don't have time to cook. I also freeze some of the excess of my garden or if I receive fresh vegetables from a relative or friend.

If you still think it's too expensive to own one, then ask yourself these questions.

How much could I save in a week if I had a nice frozen meal to cook instead of eating out?

How much savings did I lose because I couldn't take full advantage of a great sale?

How much could I save on fresh fruits and vegetables I could grow myself to freeze?

How can you not afford an extra freezer?

Affordable Eyewear

With the rising costs of living, it's nice to be able to save money where you can. Not everyone is offered or can afford eye care insurance. Many people have to pay full price for their eyeglasses. That can be very expensive depending on the prescription and the frames you choose. It pays to check out LBWEyewear.com to see their great selection of inexpensive frames.

A Home Theater

I think having my own home theater would be so cool. I could have a projection screen, the tall drapes on the walls, surround sound, and of course home theater seating to feel like you were really at the movies. You can even buy custom seats with sports team logos for those great sports parties at your home. I love how they come with built-in cup holders. That's a goal for one day in the future.

Thanks to My October Droppers

I am sorry this is getting posted so late, but I want to extend a big thanks to all my October droppers on Entrecard. I am posting my top 10 October droppers. I love this site. I have been a little lazy about dropping daily, but when I do, I drop 300. Yes it does take some time. I have bookmarked over 250 sites which does make it easier to drop quicker. I have read some awesome blogs, made a few new friends, and just enjoy the community feel I get on EC. Again thanks to everyone who drops on my blog.

~~~~OCTOBER TOP DROPPERS~~~

Lofty Matters

Junkfoodaholic.com

"Cents"able Momma

BRYAN KARL Everything Online Money Making & Technology

Kid Tech Guru

Marriage and Beyond

Mommies Home

Computer Aid

The Ad Master

Authority Directory

TMR Frugal Living Tip #44

Today's thrifty tip is think before you spend. I'm extremely guilty of this one as well. I see something on sale, and my eyes light up. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I see items that are deeply discounted. I have to stop myself and ask these questions before I grab it. Do I really need this item? Will I really use it? Would I buy it if it wasn't marked down?

I do find myself buying stuff I don't need so I didn't save anything. The temptation to buy it can be great because it is marked so low. Really stop and think about some of the purchases you wouldn't have normally made. You think it's just a dollar or two, but these little purchases add up quickly. Don't let clearance fever take control of your better judgement. Take a deep breath, put it down, and walk away. You will be much happier in the long run.

Bird Feeders Make Great Gifts

I love having a bird feeder in my backyard. I have several large oak trees which the birds love to sit and socialize. I have a couple of ones that I made myself, and they were very simple designs. My feeder only has one perch so I have noticed that there have been some problems with the birds fighting to get to the food. The other problem I'm having is keeping the squirrels from eating all the food. Also, the feeders aren't very attractive so I am looking to buy a squirrel-proof bird feeder. I like how it has a metal design to keep them out, but letting the birds to get to the food easily. The squirrels can't damage this feeder, and it's stainless steel which will weather the elements.

Birdfeeders.com is a great website that offers many great feeders that are very functional and attractive. This would make a great addition to any landscape while feeding the birds. The site offers a wide variety of many great feeders plus lots of really great tips about bird watching and much more. Spend $49.95 for FREE SHIPPING! All orders are shipped via UPS and a great return policy. Get a jump on your holiday shopping with a great bird feeder.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #43

Today's thrifty tip is use the back of a used envelope or junk mail to write your shopping list. You are reusing a used item. Most envelopes are long enough to write a pretty long shopping list. You are saving money by using new paper and trees.

Protect Your Kids Online

There are some really great programs to make sure your kids aren't looking at sites they shouldn't. One of the ones I like is a keylogger which will check everything being typed. This is a great tool for emails. This would also be good for teens that use sites like Myspace and do online chatting. There are many online predators so keep your kids safe from themselves.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #42

Today's thrifty tip is buy more generics. This could be food, medicines, and even beauty items like skin care. I even prefer some generic items to the name brand. The funny thing is they are packaged and processed at the same plants, but just a different label. The same foods but just cheaper. This could save you as much as 30-40% as the name brands. I don't have double store coupons and mostly local stores.

Generic medicines are just as good as name brand. They have to go through the same testing and regulations. This will definitely save you a lot of money, especially on prescriptions. I always ask for the generic form if available. My co-pays are much cheaper as well. I can usually pay $4 for certain prescriptions.

Finish That Degree!

I have always regretted never finishing my college degree. Some of my reasons for not going back are time and money. Edvisors is a great site that lets you search for Online Degrees. They have some great online universities listed. Now is a great time to further your education and get a better paying job.

He Gets It!

I am so proud of my hubby. He was at the store the other day and came across many great Lego sets that were being clearanced. He bought these for less than $40 total! The 2 big sets were $8 each and were originally $40 sets! The others were $2-6 each. He also found about 8 more small Bionicle sets for $2-3 each and a couple for $5. He bought 18 sets for $75! I'm so happy that he can sniff out a great deal. It's mainly limited it to toys and Lego sets, but hey it's a great start. These will be great for Christmas and his birthday which is about 2 weeks apart. My mom bought a couple of sets to give. I also shop for other relatives to save them time and money. I'm just so glad that my husband loves to shop clearance sales and save us money. We saved over $200! Now is a great time to buy clearance toys since the stores are making room for the new ones for Christmas. Happy shopping!

Shopping for Baby

I have so many friends that are either having their first baby or adding to their family. It's so much fun shopping for all the great baby items. It's also a lot of fun picking out a theme for the nursery and choosing the baby bedding. If you aren't sure of the baby's sex, then make sure to go with a theme and colors that could be used for either one.

Choice of Cell Phones

Do you ever feel your choice of cell phones are limited because of your carrier? I know I feel that way. Expand your horizons with unlocked cell phones. Just make sure you get a phone that isn't limited to certain carriers or options. You can even do this with a global phone. Check out the great site and get that phone you really want.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #41

Today's thrifty tip is clean out your dryer lint trap. Make sure you cleaning out the lint trap often so it doesn't have a chance to build-up in your machine and dryer vent. If you don't, then it takes much longer for the clothes or towels to dry which is wasting energy. This makes you pay more in your electric or gas bill. It's also a good idea to clean out your dryer vent every 1-3 years. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, then hire out a qualified technician. There are great articles online that explain how to clean the dryer vent and the tools needed. This keeps your dryer running efficiently which keeps you with more money in your pocket. It will also extend the life of your dryer which again keeps more money in your pocket. I have listed a few articles listed below.

Wikihow-Clean Clothes Dryer Vent
How to Clean Stuff-How to Clean a Dryer Vent
Laundry Alternative-How to Clean Your Dryer Vent

A Monster of a Gift

Halloween is one my favorite holidays. I love the decorations, costumes, and all the tasty treats and candy. Now you can spread some Halloween cheer with Halloween gift baskets. You can choose from flowers with a cute plush to a decorative container with tasty treats. One of my favorites is the Web of Treats Cookie Basket. It's a spider web basket that contains yummy Halloween shaped cookies. Who wouldn't love to have one of these at their Halloween party? This would definitely be a hit with your guests. You could treat your friends at the office with one. These spooky gift baskets prove that Halloween isn't only enjoyed by kids.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #40

Today's thrifty living tip is get your house prepared for winter. Some of you are already having winter weather. Take the time now to keep the heat in and the cold out. I have 22 windows in my house. I would love to replace them, but that's an investment we can't afford to make right now. Instead we are going to weather strip all the doors and windows. We also redid my front door this year by filling in the small cracks on the door and staining it. I no longer feel the air being pushed in. Here are some great suggestions to help you cut down on your heating bill.

1. Caulk your windows or doors or put the weather stripping
2. Clean your gutters removing all debris
3. Trim any trees that could fall and damage property
4. Wrap your exposed pipes and drain all garden hoses plus shut off water to outside plumbing
5. Clean or replace your heating filters and clean all vents
6. Clean your fireplace and chimney since creosote can build up

There are many other ways to prepare your house for winter. We don't have snow so many of these tips don't apply to me. I am sure I missed a few, but no matter how you heat your house, test it to make sure it's running properly. Also, clean it out and the vents so it will run better. We still don't have to run our heater for at least another month, but we are ready when we do. If you can afford it, then insulating your house is another great way to conserve energy. I will post some more great tips all winter to help you lower your bills.

Stop Calling Me!

Do you ever get tired of running to answer the phone only to have a recorded message or they hang up. I know I am. I do have caller id, but some numbers won't display their information and it just says unknown. I usually don't answer, but now I've noticed some companies are getting sneaky. They will use a local phone number so I don't know if it's a real call or a sales pitch. I have found a great website for Phone Number Reporting. You just type in the number to check if someone has already left a comment about it. If not then you can you submit that number and leave a comment about it. Was it a recorded message, telemarketer, scam, or collection agency? This is a site that will allow you to help others. It's a great website that I intend to visit regularly.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #39

Today's thrifty tip is have a date night with your spouse or significant other. All couples should make this a priority, and especially if you have children. I know it's harder to get out when the kids are younger so just have a date at home. Put your kids to bed early, and just snuggle on the couch watching a movie. There are lots of quality ways to spend time together as a couple. You might not want to do some of these on a date, but it's just an idea of how you can spend more time together connecting as a couple. I think one problem is that many couples don't make enough time to be together as a couple.

1. Play board games
2. Watching a movie
3. Cooking a nice dinner
4. Listening to music in front a fire
5. Talking to each other (remember how you met)
6. Folding laundry together
7. Snuggling and kissing on the couch (like teenagers)
8. Laying under the stars on a blanket in your backyard

There are so many great ways to spend time with each other. I hope some of these ideas have helped. My husband is off all next week on vacation, and we already planned a lunch date. We will also paint the kitchen so we will get lots of quality time together. Though remodeling can be a tad stressful so it won't be all roses.

Great Idea for International Buyers

I know many international buyers love to buy from U.S. stores and sellers on ebay. The problem is that many of them won't ship overseas. Now you can have your packages shipped to a U.S. address and just pay for mail forwarding. Shipito.com is a service that will provide you with an address in California, and they will forward it to any address in the world. This is a great solution, and the prices are very affordable. They also offer a yearly service which is great for people that love to do lots of shopping. You can also make money by signing up as an affiliate. Place their banners on your site, and you will get paid for each new customer that uses their service that came from your site. Happy shopping.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #38

Today's thrifty tip is to use fruits or items from outside to decorate your house. Colorful apples or oranges look great displayed in a bowl. You can eat them or cook with them before they start spoiling. You could make a very colorful wreath using leaves, pine cones, or other items. Display pine cones in a bowl for a more earthy look. There are lots of ways to decorate for fall without breaking your budget.

Socks Make Great Stocking Stuffers

I have several teenage nieces, and I have such a hard time shopping for them. I always try to find cute and trendy items to put in their stockings for Christmas. I recently found a great brand called Hue. They have some really cute socks on their website. The styles were also perfect for my nieces. They had ankle style socks, cashmere, boot socks, and so much more. The colors are fun and vibrant, and there were also some very cool pattern ones. This is definitely a brand that will be a huge hit with them. The best part is many of the socks were one size fits all so no guessing on my part. If you have a hard to shop for person on your list, then check out this great site.

I Got Another Cool Award!

I was given yet another cool blog award. This one is the "I Love Your Blog Award", and I feel so honored. I must give a big thank you to Christine at The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth for giving me this great award!

There are some rules for this award:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the persons you've nominated.

Here are the awesome blogs that I really enjoy reading, and will be awarding. I hope you will visit them. Thanks for reading mine. I apologize to the nominees if this has been duplicated.

1. Coupon Mom Mom
2. Your Fun Family
3. Is 8 Enough?
4. Thrifty Thoughts
5. Freaky Frugalite
6. Money Saving Pro
7. "Cents"able Momma

I also want to thank Melissa from Melissa's HomeSchool Blog for another Brillant Blogger Award. I just did this one not too long ago so I won't pass it out again, but I did want to give a big Thank You for the nomination! Thanks and I love reading your blog. You will also want to check out her blog, and it has lots of great info and links.

A Talking Watch?

There are so many great gadgets available, and some of these are very helpful for the elderly or someone with special needs. I came across a site that sells talking watches. The watch will tell the time in a clear voice. There is a nice variety of styles and are very affordable. This would make a great gift for someone that could use the extra assistance.

Vegas Baby!

I've always wanted to take a weekend trip to las vegas nevada with my husband. There is so much to do besides just gambling. There are the great shows, food, and even the sights. I think just walking down the strip would be a lot of fun. I can't wait until we can finally take that trip to vegas baby!

TMR Frugal Living Tip #37

Today's thrifty tip is invest in a battery recharger. The cost upfront does seem a little pricey, but I still use mine on a weekly basis 7 years later. I have the AA recharger and 8 batteries. I use 2 AA batteries for my digital camera. I used to sell on ebay so I was definitely using a lot of batteries each week. Now I don't use them as often, but they paid for themselves in the first few months of purchase. I know many people can get batteries for free or almost free at CVS and Walgreens, but I still save more money with my rechargeable batteries. It's also convenient to just recharge than to run to the store to buy more batteries. That will save money in gas not wasted. I usually keep several charged so I just pop them in when needed. It's also good for the environment with less trash in the landfills. You can call it "green" if you want, but it's just smart if you ask me.

Make Your Halloween Party Spooky

Since Halloween is on a Friday, then I've been thinking about throwing a party. I want one that kids and adults would want to attend. It would be safer for the kids, and I think it would be more fun than just trick or treating. To really make the party look spooky I want to decorate it similar to a haunted house theme. We have a screened-in porch so I can put cobwebs with spiders hanging down, a couple of carved pumpkins, and some moss. I am also thinking of making a cemetery in the front yard. That would definitely get attention from my neighbors.

I really think the kids would get a kick out of the Halloween party food I am going to make. I found a recipe for creepy witch finger cookies that look like fingers. I think a dirt pudding with candy gummy worms inside is always a hit. It's actually a very tasty treat. I also think I would like to let everyone make their own pumpkin face pizzas. They could use pepperoni for eyes, mushroom or black olive for the nose, and either pepperoni for a mouth or whatever else they would like. I could have several bowls of different ingredients and let them use their own imagination. I think it will be a great party, and planning it is a lot of the fun for me.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #36

Today's thrifty tip is make a grocery list before you go to the store. I know that sounds like common sense, but many people think I only need 1 or 2 items and I won't forget. Then you end up buying something you don't need and not the actual item you really did. I've done it and more than once. I also like to look at the sales papers to decide if I could use extra of an item that is marked cheaply. If I have coupons, then I can usually get the item almost free or free. Don't overlook the drug stores like Walgreens and CVS. Sometimes they have a better sale on groceries than the regular stores. Make a list and don't forget to take it with you. Yes, I have also done that more than once.

Halloween Is Almost Here!

I can't believe that Halloween is almost here again. My son loves dressing up as his favorite character, which is Batman, this year. My mom made the costume on her sewing machine. She even made the gloves and boot covers, as well as, the logo on the front of the suit. She did a fantastic job, and he plans to wear it even after Halloween is over. I'm very lucky to have a mom who loves to make his costumes.

Each year we take him trick or treating in a very safe area where we know the majority of the people. We always have our candy checked before we allow him to eat any of it. We also try to go early, before it gets too dark, since it's easier to see where you are walking. We do take a flashlight and glow stick for him. We are also fortunate that the area gets blocked off from vehicle traffic.

If you haven't started your costume shopping, then check out Halloween Costume Store to get the best selection on costumes. They offer easy returns, and the best part is Free Shipping on orders over $60 until 10/10/08! Hurry before this great deal ends. If you are going to a party, then stay safe on the roads.

My 200th Post!

This is my 200th post! It's another milestone for my blog, and next month will be my 6 month anniversary. I do plan on doing a drawing for it, but I won't say what it is quite yet. I still have so many more great topics to discuss. I have noticed that I am increasing the number of readers and followers on this blog. Thank you to everyone who has visited and commented. I don't always respond to all the comments, but I read all of them. I really appreciate them. Stay tuned for more great drawings, and again thank you to all my readers.

Book a Cheap Cruise

I have never been on a cruise, and not sure if I ever plan on going on one. Many people do love them so I would suggest trying to go in the off season to get a better discount. I will say that be careful about going on Caribbean cruises during hurricane season which is June to November. The most active months are August and September. Happy sailing.

Relocating?

Moving to a new area can be expensive. There are ways to help cut the costs. You can get free boxes by going to stores or asking friends and family. Use newspaper to wrap your fragile items. These can be obtained for free by hitting recycling centers or asking around. You can also shop around on the internet to find cheaper movers. Find a mover NYC and save yourself time and money.

Protect Your Health with Insurance

The cost of living is on the rise which includes insurance costs. We are very fortunate to have a great plan at my husband's job. The cost of medical care is even more expensive, without any kind of health insurance. It only takes one medical emergency to wipe out a savings. If you live in North Carolina then check out NC health insurance.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #35

Today's thrifty living tip is extend the life of your shower curtains. I wash mine in the washing machine on a short cycle with vinegar and hot water. I also throw in a towel to help weight it down. The curtain comes out clean and it's easier than scrubbing it by hand. I have been able to keep a curtain for at least 2-3 years. These are the cheap vinyl ones. I do eventually throw them away once they start ripping or starts looking like swiss cheese.

Capture Pests the Safer Way

I will admit that I am a big chicken when it comes to crawling pests. I think I hate roaches the most since we get these huge ones from our oak trees. For some reason the tiny spiders don't bother me. If you have a problem with spiders, then consider using spider traps. It's non-toxic so it's safe for your family and the environment.

BoomerTowne Bites the Dust!

I have been meaning to blog about this for a couple of weeks, but it does seem that BoomerTowne has shut down for good. I had $300 in pending gift cards that I will never see which is sad. I knew something was wrong when it was August, and the May rewards were still pending. I'm sorry to everyone I referred that wasted their time and will never get their reward. They were sending them out prior to May, otherwise, I would never joined in the first place. It's very upsetting when a site just disappears in the night and no message or warning. I did send an email to the company that was in charge of rewards but this is the reply I received below.

Thank you for your e-mail.

While Laughlin/Constable was hired by the owner to develop and maintain certain aspects of the site, Laughlin/Constable does not own the site; was never responsible for any aspect of the points program; and no longer is working with the owner or manager of the site.

The owner has not returned our calls and has not left us with forwarding information.

Regards,

Paul

Is Your Child Safe?

I constantly worry about my son's safety in many ways. I worry about him crossing the street and being kidnapped. I also have to worry about if my neighbors are sex offenders. Child Molesters have to register in my state, and you can check out where they live by typing in a zip code. This is a great way to check out how safe your neighborhood is where you live. You can also get a full name, address, picture, and other information. Protect your family with this great website.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #34

Today's thrifty living tip is make double or triple batches when cooking. You can't always do this since some foods don't freeze. But there are many dishes that you can make at least a double batch of while cooking. It will save you lots of time and money. There are nights when you don't feel like cooking. No problem since you can take something out that morning, let it thaw during the day, and just pop in the oven or microwave that evening. There will be less dishes to do as well which is an added bonus.

Is Your Skin Thirsty?

Since I've been using the Oil of Olay Seven Signs of Aging with Blemish Control face wash, I have noticed my skin is looking so much nicer. I've tried many different kinds of severe acne treatment face washes and lotions, but using a moisturizing face wash seemed nuts. I do have oily skin so why would I want to lather on more? I was very wrong, and I even put on an additional richer moisturizer for night. I just make sure it's oil free, but my skin is much softer and smoother. The older you get, the more your skin needs moisture. I am very pleased with the Oil of Olay products.

Winners of the 5,000 Entrecard Drawing!

I just want to thank all the people that entered this drawing by commenting and posting on their blogs. I used random.org to pick the winners. I will leave a comment on your blog if you are the winner. If you have more than one blog, then please let me know what blog you want me to use to send your credits. Thanks again everyone and I will have another Entrecard contest in the very near future.

Now without further delay......wait we need a drumroll please......the winners are:

Top Prize of 2,000 EC is Sara with News from NOLA!!!
1st Runner Up of 1,500 EC is Jamie Sue with Free Printable Fun for Everyone
2nd Runner Up: 1,000 EC is Sherry with I Luv Contest
3rd Runner Up: 500 EC is Angie with Angie's Photo Blog

Congrats to all the winners and I will leave a comment to let you know that you won. Just let me know which blog (those with multiple ones) which blog you want me to send the EC credits. Thanks again to everyone who participated!

Marketing Your Business

There are many great ways to market your business like the more obvious business cards, but there are also other creative ways. You could give away personalized pens, magnets, shirts, hats, or even calenders. I even had some calender magnets made to give to return customers. I was also thinking of handing out punch cards. For each customer that buys $25, then they would get a punch. After the card was filled, they can receive $25 gift certificate or Tupperware of that value. It would be a great way to stand out from the crowd.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #33

Today's thrifty living tip is use cash when shopping. I take out so much cash and put them in envelopes marked grocery, spending, utilities, and other areas. I buy a gas card for myself and hubby to use each month since we get discounts on gas when using the store gift card. Since I have been using cash to buy the groceries, I have noticed I spend less. I still find that I can overspend even when I use my debit card. If having cash makes you nervous, then get a gift card to use. Once the money in the envelope is gone, then I quit spending for the month. This has been the best method I've tried for making myself accountable for my spending.

Get Organized for Back to School

I can still remember my first day of school like it just happened yesterday. I was very excited about all the kids I would meet, but I was a little worried if my new teacher was going to be mean or nice. I had nothing to worry about, since it turned out, that my teacher was very nice. I can still remember all the great things I learned in Kindergarten. I learned my alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, and we even had to learn how to tie our shoes. I wore this very cute blue dress with ruffles. My mom loved dressing me in these ruffle dresses with barrettes in my hair. I met my first best friend in that class. We are still best friends all these many years later.

The worst part was how many school supplies I had to bring. I think if I had color labels on them, then it would have been easier to have known which scissors were mine. My parents did write my name but sometimes the name would smudge off over the school year. Dymo label maker is a great way to organize not only school supplies, but clothes, boxes, and so much more. My parents could also have marked my school clothes for each day. It would have made getting dressed in the morning easier and faster.

I'm Giving Away 5,000 Entrecard Credits!

This is my first big Entrecard giveaway! I'm going to give away a total of 5,000 points to several lucky readers. This starts today and will end on Wednesday, September 24th, at 9PM CST! You can leave comments up until 9PM CST, but after that then I have to pick the winners. It's so easy since all you have to do is just leave a comment to get an entry. If you want more entries, then write a post linking to my blog and this contest to get 3 more entries.

Limit one blog per entry, but if you have more than one blog then you can enter them all. Please only blogs that have had posts in the last 30 days. Don't comment with a blog that you haven't used in months. I am using random.org to pick the winners. Good luck and have fun! Here are the prizes below:

Grand Prize: 2,000 EC
1st Runner Up: 1,500 EC
2nd Runner Up: 1,000 EC
3rd Runner Up: 500 EC

Got Beads?

The internet has been a great way to find talented designers that make the most amazing jewelry creations I've ever seen. Many of them will also create a custom piece if you request one. I am sure they use gemstone beads, and many other one of a kind beads that can't be find in the big box stores.

Designers have been able to use the internet as a wonderful tool in finding these unique beads. Beads of Cambay is a great website that offers a huge variety of wholesale gemstone beads, freshwater pearls, copper beads, brass beads, along with many other kinds of beads. You can also get discounts up to 30% off on your order. They offer flat rate Fedex shipping on all orders. International shipping is not a problem since it's available to overseas customers. They also have refunds if you aren't fully satisfied.

Beads of Camby has a press release available to learn more about this great website. They also have an online newsletter you can sign up for to get the newest releases and special savings. You can also visit them in person at the Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show. Check out their great assortment of “high quality” wholesale beads today.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #32

I have really missed posting these daily tips. Today's thrifty tip is have a well stocked pantry. This helped me tremendously after Hurricane Gustav barreled through my area. I had close to 10 gallons of drinking water, canned goods, and many other basic staples like flour, sugar, rice, baking supplies, and such. I was able to feed my family well for several days. We did leave after four days since my mom had electricity at her house. Because I was prepared, we didn't have to panic about how we were going to eat since it took several days for grocery stores to reopen. There will always be a natural disaster anywhere you live from snow, earthquakes, hurricanes, or something else. It is always a good idea to have at least 1-2 week supply of food in your pantry.

Skin Woes

The heat was the worst thing about the Hurricane. I really wished we had a wonderful cool front that we got this week. It's already so hot and humid in South Louisiana, but no air conditioning is even worse. My skin really suffered that week. I had terrible acne and got this small red bumps all over one arm. It finally went away this week, but it took longer than normal to clear.

All Systems Go!

We got our cable, phone, and internet services back Monday afternoon. I went to the local office to let them know, and it was up and running that afternoon! YAY! Thanks Charter for restoring it all. I do think we might get a basic phone line with AT&T so we can have phone service when the power goes out. I love how cheap Charter's phone package is, but it won't work without power. There wasn't a cell signal either for 3 days after Gustav. It's quite sad how accustomed I have become to all the technology we use on a daily basis. We did play board games as family and cards. I will try to continue my daily thrifty living tips starting tomorrow. I'm back and will try to update my blogs soon this week. Thanks again for all the great comments and emails. It was very nice to read them all. You guys rock!

Personalize Your Holiday Cards

The holidays are right around the corner starting with Thanksgiving and then Christmas! I already have almost all my shopping done, but I really want personalized Christmas cards this year. I found this great website where I can make my own personalized Holiday cards. They also offer foil seals, metallic gel pens, and more for a really snazzy look.

There are so many great cards to choose from, but I came across these really neat calender cards. I know many people in my family would love them. This is better to me than the standard greeting you would find inside a Holiday card. Or you could create your own photo greeting card by uploading a picture. Grandparents love those kind of greeting cards.

GalleryCollection.com generously donated over 180,000 holiday cards last year to our deployed troops overseas. All these cards went out in the Soliders' Angels for Holiday care packages which is a wonderful way to show our troops how much we appreciate what they do for our country. I think everyone should become involved in this great program. 'May no soldier go unloved' is the Soliders' Angels motto. So many of them are away from their loved ones which is more reason that we should do more to show our support. I applaud GalleryCollection.com for giving such a generous donation to our troops. What will you do to show our soldiers some love this holiday season?

My Very First Award!

I'm so excited that I was nominated by Mommy Mia's World for my very first one. Her blog is great and thanks so much for the nomination. It was a very pleasant surprise, and perfect timing after the whole Hurricane Gustav fiasco.

I do want to apologize to any blogs that I nominate below if you have already received this award. I'm sure most of you have, but my list is below. Please check out these great blogs.

Coupon Cravings
The Eclectic WAHM
Coupon Mom Mom
View From a Blonde
Hooray for Freebates

Bring Your Files with You!

I love having a flash drive to keep all my important documents, files, and pictures. They are so thin and light weight that you can put it in your key chain, purse, or pocket. I can download them to any computer and I won't lose my important pictures to a hurricane. If you don't have one, then I would highly recommend buying one. They are very inexpensive so no excuse not to get one.

Job Hunting?

After we came back from our forced vacation for Gustav, I really thought my husband might have to find a new job. I was already worried about how well my house fared from the strong winds, and then I had a job search for my husband in the back of my mind. We were very fortunate that didn't happen, but it is a good idea to have a plan for the worst case scenario. Your life can sometimes change in the blink of an eye.

We're Back!!!

First I have to thank everyone for their very kind words. It really meant a lot to me to see all the great comments that supported me, prayed for me, and wishes for our safety. I just can't thank you enough and it was wonderful to read them.

We came back last Thursday and have moved in with my mom. We were told that we wouldn't have electricity for up to 6 weeks. We got it back last night. YAY! But we won't have cable, phone, or internet for who knows how long. BOO! I'm very grateful we at least have our house, with no serious damage, and cold A/C again. I don't want anyone to think I've abandoned my readers, but it's going to take some time until I get back to a more normal life.

I am going to start pushing them pretty hard next week to get my services back. They love to give you the run around about why they can't come to send a technician to look at the line. At least I'm getting a credit for the weeks I haven't had any service so that does help. I hope to get it all back by next week. I'll be able to check in until we go back home this weekend. I just wanted to update that we are safe and sound.

Moving or Relocating?

Well after my not so great adventures after Gustav, we did give moving a lot of consideration. It's never easy to leave your friends and family, and then you have to start over in a new and strange area. Some people would also consider it a wonderful adventure. We had several areas in mind, including, Atlanta. There are some wonderful jobs in Atlanta that we did look over online. We decided to stay put for now since the last big one was over 15 years ago.

Losing Weight

I personally think the best way to lose weight is to eat healthy and exercise. Losing weight slowly is also better than trying a crash diet since it should be more of a lifestyle change. Some people want instant gratification so they use weight loss pills. There are safe ones so I would recommend talking to a doctor first before using.

Leaving for Hurricane Gustav!

I just wanted to let know everyone know that we are leaving for higher ground. We heading to Jackson, MS which will still feel some weather but not what I would feel here on the coast. I hope everyone stays safe. If you haven't left and live near the coast in Louisiana, then please do so tomorrow. At the very least get the house boarded up and hunker down. I hate to have a vacation this way, but sometimes you have to do what is necessary. Take care everyone. I am posting this all on four of my blogs.

Disney Outlet Huge Clearance Sale!

Disney Outlet is having a huge end of summer clearance sale! Save up to 75% off beach towels, swimsuits, sandals, and much more. This is one of those great sales that I mentioned in my earlier post. Pay a flat $5 shipping with code SHIPFOR5 if you spend $50 or more. I plan to buy some of the shirts for us to wear when we go on our Walt Disney World trip next year.

Disney Outlet

TMR Frugal Living Tip #31

Today's thrifty tip is shop clearance sales to save big! Labor Day weekend is a great weekend to shop for end of summer clothing and toys. You can also save big on patio furniture, lawn and garden, and even items for the pool. The stores are putting out Halloween and other fall items so check out your stores for the clearance items. I have even found winter clothes from last year on clearance racks with the summer. I was able to finish my son's winter wardrobe for this year and summer for next year. I spent $80 for all of it. He will be able to wear some of the winter clothes again next year (mostly tops and jacket). I also have shoes stock piled in both sandals and tennis shoes.

Walgreens $10/40 Coupon Friday & Saturday!

I just got this great $10 off $40 coupon at Walgreens. The coupon is good for Friday, August 29th and Saturday, August 30th only. This is coupon is only good in the store. So use it to stock up on some great deals.

Walgreens Coupon

TMR Frugal Living Tip #30

Today's thrifty tip is visit your local library. I live in a pretty small town, but my library can get me most books I want, even if it's at another branch. I can rent VHS and DVD movies for free. I'm impressed with how many newer titles are available. Over the summer, they had a reading program for the kids. My son won a few prizes, and he met his 25 book reading goal. You can also use the computers and internet as long with your card. Check it out today.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #29

Today's thrifty tip is eat less meat. I love meat, but it's getting very expensive these days. As Americans, we do eat more than we need in a serving. I have been cutting chicken breasts in half, and I get more meals from it. Beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber, and it's much cheaper. The other great thing is they are versatile. I can use them in soups, serve over brown rice, use them in a stir fry, wrap them up in a tortilla, and more! Eggs are also full of protein, but the whites are better than the yolk. I have made some great meals with eggs. When you do buy meat, try to get the leaner cuts. They have less fat plus taste better.

Skin Problems

I haven't noticed too many blackheads since I've been gotten older. I still combat acne, but my skin has been looking much better. If you are looking for a blackhead removal cleaner, then check out Get Acne Treatments website. They have reviewed many cleaners, and show you the best rated systems. I find that moisturizing has really helped to clear my skin and it's much softer. Just make sure it's non-oily.

Kitchen Lighting

I'm planning on doing a big kitchen remodel next year. I want to replace the floors, new paint job, and install new lighting fixtures. I want to put a nice pendant fixture right above the kitchen table. I really like the look of them. I also want to install recessed lights. I was considering track lights, but I really think the recessed will look nicer. I will post pictures once it's complete.

Check Out These Great Blogs!

I'm posting these great blogs of my buddies. I really enjoy visting these sites and will be adding this to my blog roll. I hope you enjoy the links. Don't forget to visit.

World of Mom
Drizzly Blog
WICBlog
Green 'n' Pink
Reading Writing and Reloading
Feelings Just Are
Not Just In Your Head
Kateedyd What?!
Mommie’s Marbles
Confetti by: Kateedyd
Pure Jade Home
Luxury Lifestylez
The Fuzzbutt Files
Kimmi's Krazy World
My Weekly Beef
My First Steps With Jesus
Good News
I Love my 3 Boys
Secola‘s Space
Left Hand in Right Mind
Thrifty Momma Ramblings
Tupperware
My So Called Blog
Remotely Mommy
Vibrant Healthy U
Photos For The Fun of It
Nursing Home or Home?
The Art Of Criticism
World of Homemaking
Mix World
Have Your Health
Money Relations
A Christian Marriage
That‘s What I am Talking About
Spiritually Grounded Mind
A Break From Parenting
Florida Travel Spots
All in a blog
Blog About it
Different World
I feel like a woman
Easing Chronic Pain
Momas Life
Bahama Berry
Wah and Loving it
My Big Fat Battle
Liz’s So Called Blog
Secret Thoughts and More
Kathleens Brand Buzz
The 40 Life
The Geeks Girl
NES Nintendo
The Mighty Scribbler
Domesticated Diva
A little bit About Nothin
The Cajun Blogger
Wahm Adventures
House of Bargains
Coodas Corner
My-Junk-Drawer
Fat Girl Goes Fit
Mommy Mias World
Vanilla Country Store
Thrifty Thoughts
Godly Woman
My Special Place
Work from Home Options
The work from home blog
Women Of Faith
Cypress TX Mom
Momas Life
Success Factors
Savvy Business Moms
Here On Columbia Avenue
Da Boss And Bryguy
4 Cats Make Me Crazy!

TMR Frugal Living Tip #28

Today's thrifty tip is make your own baby wipes. Some people even use soft terry material, and sew them into small wash cloths. I think French Terry is a great material to use. This is softer when wiping baby's bottom, and just throw them in the same bucket you use for your cloth diapers.

I actually made my own using a homemade liquid mixture and paper towels.
Start with your paper towels and cut the roll in half, and then remove the inside cardboard. I used a baby wipe container that was washed out. Any plastic container with a good seal is fine. You will want to wash it out once it's empty.

Liquid Mixture: (Many variations)
2 Cups Boiled Water (cooled)
2 TBS Baby Shampoo
1 TBS Oil

Then mix in the container and put the paper towels in container (cut side down). Make sure you seal it well, and turn container upside down for about 10 minutes. This ensures it saturates the paper towels.

There are so many variations. Some people use almond oil, olive oil, or baby oil. This is what is great is that you can use what makes you comfortable. I recommend Viva since they are the softest and very strong. I could get a roll on sale with coupon for 25-50 cents. This is much cheaper than store bought wipes, and I also liked there were no harsh chemicals.

$50 Gas Card Drawing Ends on Labor Day!

The drawing ends on Monday Labor Day at midnight CST. All US residents can play. The top prize is a $50 Gas Card. Don't get left out of this great drawing. You can read the post by clicking on it below.

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I have been looking for an affordable web host for my blogs. I came across this great article about cheap hosting. It was very helpful in which features you should look for in a web host company. This is a great site that everyone should check first before making costly mistake.

Have You Ever Noticed?

I think people who use coupons regularly will understand this post, but have you ever noticed that certain people will give you a strange look when you discuss a great deal you got. I noticed this recently with a relative. I thought I must have had 2 heads or something. I totally respect that using coupons, or combining the sales with coupons and rebates is not for everyone. It really doesn't take me that much time to go thru the sales papers and clip coupons each Sunday. But please don't look at me as if I'm an alien. I swear I'm not the only who uses them.

I Want a Cartier Watch

I have had my eye on a Cartier since I was younger. My Grandmother had one that I always thought was gorgeous. She has had it for almost 40 years. It still keeps perfect time, and still looks beautiful after all these years. I always knew that one day I would have one for myself. I found the watch that I would love to buy. I am a fanatic for silver so this is a perfect choice.



TheWatchery.com has a really great selection of Cartier watches plus they offer free Fedex shipping to all US orders. They even insure the package. That particular watch I picked out also has a special promotion. I get to pick out any watch I want up to $195 for FREE! Or I could take 80% off the MSRP. That is a great deal. So I get two watches which would make a great gift for my husband. He needs a nice watch to wear when we go out. They are having an end of summer sale. So the watch I picked out was 20% off. You also will get a 30 day money back guarantee on your watch. You can't go wrong when buying at this great website. Check them out today.

More Great CVS Savings

I decided to stop at CVS yesterday since I got some good cash register receipt coupons. I also found a rain check from two years ago. That's the great thing about their rain checks is that they never expire. You gotta love it. Mine were for Schick Quattro Razors for men and I had a quantity of four. I didn't have any coupons, but it did have a $5 ECB when you buy one. Well the check was for $1.99 each! I was able to get all four, and I got the $5 ECB. I got four razors for $3.xx! I also had coupons for a Tylenol 10ct vial and a Fusion Shaving cream. I did have $1 coupons for both. I also got a couple more boxes of Puffs tissues.

Fusion: $3.49- $3.00 coupons= $0.49
2 Puffs: $1.76- $.50 cents coupons= $1.26
4 Quattro Razors- $7.96- $7 ECB (I had this amount)= $0.96
Tylenol: $2.49- $2.50 coupons= penny overage
Grand Total with tax: $3.12!!!

I got $5 ECB from the razors. I saved a total of $45 with sales and coupons. I just can't say it enough. I LOVE CVS!

Accept Online Payments

When I had my own website, I really wanted to start taking online credit cards and debit cards. I know there are certain sites, but I really wanted to have more choices. Authorize.net has free set up and very low transaction fees. This is great for auctions, websites, mail or phone orders, and much more. Don't hesitate to check them out.

Where to Stay?

We are planning our first trip to Disney World for next year. We are debating if we should stay on grounds or in a condo hotel off grounds. It would be very convenient to stay at Disney with no worries about driving to the parks daily and parking. We could just catch a shuttle or bus. I would also prefer to save some money staying offsite, plus have a bigger place. We need to just write down all the pros and cons to make our choice.

I Love Clearance Sales!

Today I hit a great clearance at my local Wal-Mart. They moved all the summer and older toys to clearance. I was able to buy all the kids Christmas presents. I spent $50 today, but I'm now done with the kids on my list. I even bought a couple of extra toys to donate to Toys for Tots. I am going to go back tomorrow to buy a few more toys to donate. Most of the toys I bought were $4-5 each. I even got my son some Christmas presents. He loves Legos and they had several small Star Wars sets on clearance for $5. They had Speed Racer, Hannah Montana, Barbie, baby dolls, Lego sets, and so much more. I even got DVD cartoon movies for $4 each. I got Bob the Builder, Care Bears, and Blues Clues. I'm not buying as many toys since I really think most kids have too many. I am trying to buy other fun things to give like bath toys. They had those on clearance as well. Now is a great time to start your Christmas shopping. I even bought a couple of extra for my gift closet. You never know when you will get a last minute birthday invite from your child's classmate.

Are You Really Normal?

Are You Normal or Nuts? This is a question we all ponder from time to time. Like am I crazy to stock up on a great sale of items we will use? I think most people would say no, and it's smart to pay less for something you will use. Other people may think it's a little crazy to buy 26 bottles of dish liquid. I think my husband would agree. It's funny how I never hear him complaining about all the rolls of toilet paper in the closet. He might think twice about making a comment if they suddenly disappeared in a moment of need. "insert an evil laugh"

This is a great article in the Reader's Digest I came across recently. My favorite one is the lady that took 7 years to use 14 bottles of nail polish. First wouldn't the polish be a little funky? I don't really use nail polish too often. Do you think that this would be one for the Are You Normal or Nuts? category? I would say yes. I just recently bought a bottle for free after rebate. Some people might think that it's acceptable, and have done it themselves. The article is pretty funny, and insightful. Check out the Reader's Digest Laughs section. Just remember what you might think is crazy to you is perfectly normal to someone else.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #27

Today's thrifty tip is don't buy expensive baby food in jars. Instead just puree your own cooked foods like carrots, green beans, and such. Bananas are also easy to mash. Just make sure to keep the foods bland. You can use a food processor to mush it. Certain foods cooked are easy to mash with just a fork. This will save you lots of money, and it's healthier for your baby.

Win a Free Laptop

I have my cable, internet, and phone service all bundled with Charter. I have just one bill a month, and they provide me with wonderful service. I find their internet service to be very fast and reliable. I was paying almost $80 a month just for telephone service with BellSouth. Now I get all the same extras and unlimited long distance for only $30. I also have my bill drafted each month which is even more convenient.



Right now is a great time to order any new service from Charter. They are offering a great promotion called Charter Laptop-a-Day Giveaway. This is only for online orders and all the offers are listed on the page. You will receive a Shell gas card valued up to $100, and automatically entered to win a HP Compaq Presario C770US Laptop! They are giving away 30 laptops in 30 days. This would be a great laptop to either keep for yourself or give to one of your kids for back to school. This is a really great deal, and go to the page to read more about the offers and rules. All the specifications of the laptop is also listed on the page. If you need a new service, then why not get paid with free gas!

Sale on Kids Sized Crocs!

I know some people think they are ugly. For those that love these shoes, then REI has the Cayman Crocs in kid sizes on sale. It's only 3 colors: Red, Sea Blue, and Coral. They are priced $8.83 and have various sizes in stock. I bought a pair of red ones for my son. Shipping was $5.99 for a total of $14.82 which is a great deal. You can get Free Shipping to any REI store. If you are signed up with BigCrumbs then go thru them to earn cash back. Hurry since I'm sure these will go quickly. Click on the link below for the sale.

Croc Sale

Small Changes Add Up to a Big Change

I wasn't always very frugal, and I was a spendthrift a few years ago. I know it's horrible, but I wanted to be at home with my son, so I had to change. It was easier for my husband since he grew up frugal. I learned a lot of my skills from his family. The first thing we did was to consolidate debt to make one payment per month. That was only one small part of the change.

There are thousands of little ways to save money. Turning off lights when you aren't in that room. I clip coupons and combine them with sales and rebates. I switched to store brands on most of the things we eat or use like toilet paper. I also do many other small things to save money. These little small changes will add up to much bigger savings in time. You have to start slowly if you want to it to be a permanent change.

If you are living paycheck to paycheck then debt consolidation is a great way to free up extra money for debt relief. BillsIQ is a great online site that has many tools and articles. Everyone that needs debt help should check out this great site.

When Did I Become My Mom?!!

I really love my Mom and she's my best friend. There are days that I say the same things to my son that she said when I was a kid. I didn't understand some of these pearls of wisdom until I had my own children. I always have to laugh to myself afterwards. Again, I have to admit you were right Mom. Thanks.

Great Gift Idea

I am constantly on the prowl for great deals and bargains, but I also like to give unique gifts when I can. Some people are much easier to shop for than others in my family. I came across a great product called Cabin Cuddler which would be perfect for my husband's grandmother. She is constantly complaining about how cold her house is during the winter. She has been having problems with her legs so this will be great for her. The blanket has a great foot pocket so it will stay put to keep her toasty warm. She can also bring this with her when she travels.

My brother would really love this since he does a lot of flying for business trips. He refuses to use the airline provided pillow or blanket. He feels that these are germ infested which aren't properly cleaned. This also comes with an inflatable pillow. It inflates easily, and is perfect for traveling. I love that it comes in a handy tote bag which would fit perfectly over the handle on his rolling suitcase. I'm considering purchasing one for us to use on our Walt Disney World trip next year. It's never too early to start your Christmas shopping.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #26

Today's thrifty tip is to use soy flour to substitute for an egg in baking. Just a heaping tablespoon of soy flour and a tablespoon of water is equal to a large egg. With the high price of eggs, this can save a good bit if you do a lot of cooking and baking. You can find soy flour in most health food and ethnic stores.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #25

Today's thrifty tip is to call companies of products you either love or had an issue. I have a few favorite items, and I do call the company every few months to rave about the product or pass on some suggestions. I always ask to be placed on a mailing list or about coupons. Most will just give you some coupons just for calling. Some won't give anything but that is a small percentage. If you do have a complaint, then just be courteous but let them know your disappoint. Some companies will ask to have it mailed back if it's a defect. So don't throw it out just yet. I always get either a refund check or a free item coupon when this occurs. This is another great way to get great coupons for the things you use anyway.

Halloween Is Almost Here!

Halloween is my favorite time of the year. I love the cooler weather, decorations, and the Halloween costumes. Right now is a great time to start shopping to get the best selection. Halloween Adventures has a really wide selection of costumes for both adults and kids. They even offer plus size costumes.

I came across a great costume that I would love to wear this year. It's the Queen of Hearts playing card, and I am a queen in my house, so it's a perfect fit. I really love to wear humorous costumes. It's a time of year when I can be more of a card. I even found a few couples costumes that I would love to wear with my husband.

This is a one stop shopping for Halloween. They even offer wigs, masks, makeup, and so much more. Haunted House decorations to make your house stand out from the crowd. You can find costumes for any theme and even time period costumes. Your little ones can wear their favorite Disney or Superhero character. Save even more money by taking 5% off your total with Coupon Code: PPP05BLOG2008 and it expires October 10th, 2008. Visit http://blog.halloweenadventure.com to read more news about costumes on their blog.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #24

Today's thrifty tip is bring your samples on vacation. Why carry all those full size containers of toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shaving cream, shampoo, and such? It would be much easier to bring the smaller travel size samples. Unless you have a coupon to make it either free or under 50 cents, then don't buy the travel size items in the store. Just spend a little time daily requesting free samples. You also get great coupons that you can buy again for later. Some coupons do have the wordking not good on travel or certain size items so do read the fine print. If you bring the smaller items, then you will have more room for your souvenirs.

My Freebies for the Week

I went yesterday to do my weekly big 3 shopping. Yep each week I hit Rite-Aid, Walgreens, and CVS to get the weekly deals.

First Stop- Rite-Aid:
1 Crest Whitening w/ Scope [$3.19] -75 cent coupon

Total- $2.65 w/ tax
I'm getting $3.19 back with rebate so free and made a 54 cent profit!

Second Stop- Walgreens:
Cheerios [$1.99] -$1 coupon (printable)
Pert Plus [$3.79] -$2 coupon

Total- $3.00 w/ tax
I'm getting $3.79 back from Walgreens FAR so I made a $2.00 profit. If you have that TMF rebate you can get even more. I already did one.

Final Stop- CVS:
2 Glade Air Fresheners [$1.76] -88 cents BOGO coupon
2 Puff Tissues [$1.76] -50 cent coupons (2x 25cent)
4 Crest Whitening Toothpaste [$7.96] -$4 ECB & -$2 coupons (2x $1)
Dove SkinVitalizer [$9.99] -$3 ECB & -$3.50 coupon
6 L'Oreal Vive Shampoo [$20] -$9.99 x3 BOGO coupons -$6 coupons (6x $1)
Colossal Express Mascara [$4.99] -$2 ECB -$1 coupon
Infusium Family Size Shampoo [$5.99] -$3 coupon
2 Intuition Razors [$7.98 ($3.99 raincheck)] -$6 coupons ($3x 2)

Total- $14.65 w/ tax
I also had a $5/30 CVS receipt coupon I used. None of the items were free but they were very cheap after coupons and ECB's. I used all my ECB's this trip since I wanted the lowest out of pocket cost.

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