Frugal Fairy

Nose to the Frugal Grindstone

2011-07-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

As with most things in life, it is hard to establish a good habit. Why make your own dinner when you can pick up fast food? Why go to the gym when you can veg out on the couch? Why cut up celery when you can open a bag of chips?

I have fallen off the wagon. The frugal wagon that is.

I have to admit that over the past few weeks, I have been a bad, bad, spending girl. I've been feeling a little down and have been filling that void with internet shopping. Bad, bad Frugal Fairy.

Amazon has been my drug of choice. Having my credit card linked to my account, my free "Amazon mom" Prime membership subscription, and an endless supply of "good deals" makes for a bad combination for this addict.

It started with stuff for my son, Jackson. Here's where it all began. I reasoned that internet shopping couldn't be bad if I was buying stuff for my son. It starts with necessities - like how he HAS to have a "puddle jumper" for swimming. Then I move onto books, because certainly he's too young and too rough to beat up library books and he surely "needs" more books to read. Oh! Then he really "needs" to have some more Yo Gabba Gabba stuff because, well, he loves it. He'll only be 22 months old once. He "needs" this stuff people!! I'd basically be a horrible mom if I didn't buy these things.

Then I move on to things for the house. Again, I rationalize that I am not doing this for me. It's for our house, our family. Therefore it can't be bad. I decide that we "need" to get new measuring cups. Of course I can't just buy the basic cheap (and frugal) kind. I have to buy the Russian nesting doll ones because I am convinced that it is a tribute to my Grandmother who passed away and that she would want me to have them.

Then the flood gates open and I decide that there are things that I "need". I "need" new perfume. This is a necessity for school, work, etc. Then I "need" a pair of Tom's shoes that I find on ebay for a good deal. While it is half off of what an actual pair of Tom's would cost me, it is still not really a necessity. I have plenty of shoes. Piles even. I convince myself that I need some new shorts. While at the store, I decide that I need an Elmo shirt to wear because Jackson loves Elmo. The shirt, I reason, is for him.

Next thing I know, I've raked up a ridiculous credit card bill. Don't worry, I pay off my credit card every month, but I use it to rack up points which I can, in turn, use on Amazon.

So now I have $10 of Amazon credit that I can use. Since I am having my own personal intervention on my spending spree, I'm holding onto it until I really "need" something else.

I had to convince myself that I don't "need" a Kindle (though I did have myself convinced that I did need one for a while because I reasoned that I could get tons of free books on it).

But alas, I have put a stop to my spending spree for the time being. I need to get back on track. It's back to couponing and DIY projects. However, I think I "need" some new craft supplies.....

The Psychology of Being Frugal

2011-02-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

In trying to make the background to this short, I'm going to use a bullet point method to get you up to speed:

I haven't written in a while because I've been super busy.
I've been super busy because I am in grad school full time (5 courses, 15 credit hours), and working part time (22 hours per week), and there's the whole "being a mom and wife" thing.
Because of this, my individual income is now about half of what it was.

So that's where I am today.

Because of these recent developments, I've of course had cut way back. If I was frugal before, now I'm probably edging on the line of "cheap".

However, being the glass-half-full, optimistic person that I generally am, I hate looking at things in a negative light. It is depressing and very limiting. For example, I hate looking at things and thinking "I can't afford ____." Instead I like to spin it like "I am choosing not to by ______ so that I can instead get _____."

I think for me, that's a huge part of the psychology of living a more frugal lifestyle. I like to frame it as though I don't HAVE to, but that I choose to. In that sense, it empowers me and helps me make better decisions and also to feel good about those decisions.

Frugal Home Decor Challenge

2010-09-23T05:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have yet again posted (I have a bad habit of that). However I think having a challenge like this will hopefully keep me on my toes.

Yesterday I was looking through some potential crafts. I was coming up with a list of "to do" projects that I would like to tackle. However, as I brain stormed, the dollar signs were starting to pile up. Even the smallest projects can add up unbelievably.

Then it hit me. Why not give myself a challenge? For the rest of the year - when it comes to home decor updates, my challenge is to spend no more than $10 per month.

$10 per month? That's crazy! But I think that given that simple parameter, it will really help me to think outside of the box (and probably think into the trash) and give me the motivation to create some neat/unique things that I normally wouldn't.

My rules:

I can only spend $10 each month.
I CAN use coupons, specials, incentive points, etc. (ie, greenbax or the like)
I CAN reuse and repurpose any item I already own or an item that is gifted to me (my birthday is in October afterall).
I CAN use freecycled items, things that other people are tossing, etc.

So wish me luck!!

My first goal - I am going to make curtains out of something I already have. Not sure if I want to use fabric that I already have or if I want to use something else. I will make it happen though.

Free Offer: Kids N Pets

2010-07-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

As a "mommy" to four fur babies (plus one husband and one actual baby), as you can imagine it is a chore to keep the carpets cleaned. Our littlest dog, despite our best efforts, still has serious marking issues (he'll hike his leg to anything new on the ground if we don't watch him closely). Plus we just had a bout with our bigger dog getting sick over something she ate. Needless to say, we went through a lot of carpet cleaner.

I needed to get some new stuff and went to Walmart. I came across this "Kids N Pets" carpet cleaner and thought "hmmm, I have kids. I have pets. This is perfect!" And the fact that it says it is endorsed by Animal Planet, gets my vote.

However the biggest perk is that it had a little tag on it that said if someone "likes" them on Facebook, they will get a full rebate for the purchase of the product.

I haven't actually tried out this product yet, so I can't give too much input, however, I thought I'd go ahead and pass along the coupon:

http://www.facebook.com/kidsnpetsbrand?ref=search&v=app_7146470109#!/kidsnpetsbrand?ref=search&v=wall

Custom orders welcome!

2010-07-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that I take custom orders! Knit hats, necklaces, embroidery, and more! Just email me or click the button at the right.

It's been a while...

2010-06-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

I've fallen down on my blogging job - but that's because my "real" job took up most of my time and brain cells. ( Not to mention my now completely mobile child who likes to get into everything).

I'll be posting some more things this week. I need to get cracking on some real projects. I've been overcome with costumes for Dragon Con 2010....

BBQ Pizza Recipe

2010-05-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

I know this isn't a crock pot recipe, but it is one of my favorites to make. It is quick and easy and a hit.

Ingredients:
Prepackaged roll out Pillsbury pizza dough
1 container bbq sauce
1 large onion cut
cooked chicken breast, diced
1 package shredded cheese - I like using mozzerella
Optional - jalapeno peppers

1. Roll out pizza dough and "pre-cook" per package instructions.
2. For this next step, I'm going to tell you what we do because my husband LOVES pizza drenched in sauce. You can cut back to your specifications. But I will squirt a good portion (about 1/3) of the bottle onto the dough and spread around liberally.
3. Add chopped onions - chop as thinly or coarsely as you'd like. We like thicker onion chunks, some like smaller bits.
4. Add the chicken. Usually I will use whatever chicken we have on hand. If I'm doing breasts, I may use 2 cooked breasts. I've used canned chicken before (1 big can) and that works. I've also used half of a pack of those pre-cooked chicken breast strips from Tyson's before as well - I just cut them up a little more.
5. Drizzle another 1/3 of the bottle or more of BBQ sauce over the chicken and onions.
6. Sprinkle 1/2 package of pre-shredded cheese liberally over pizza.
7. Opitional - if you want some kick, add a few jalapeno peppers on it at this point.
8. Bake for about 15 min.

Voila!

Free Chick Fil A

2010-05-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

I do love some Chick Fil A.

Thanks to my wonderful friend Alison, I got a lead on a free spicy chicken sandwich from Chick Fil A.

Go to http://www.getspicychicken.com/ asap and reserve your sandwich. There are limited sandwiches and you must reserve it in advance. Many places are already sold out!

Bedroom make over

2010-05-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a bedroom makeover right now. More of a mini makeover. I'm trying to do it frugally.

I bought the bed pictured at right. It was on sale at Overstock.com and was a great deal. This is the exact kind of bed I'd been wanting for years but could never find one like it, and certainly not one for $200.

My existing comforter and linens will stay. They are a light brown with a little shimmer in them.

I'm painting the walls a blue color - similar to the ones pictured, but maybe a little brighter.

I'm hoping to get some prints from one of my friends who does a lot of flower/plant photography. I'd like to get a series of three.

I'm going to post pictures when I get everything finalized. I'm just in paint mode right now.

Oh - and I'm going to paint our existing furniture as well.

Really behind this week!

2010-05-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

I'm really behind this week. I didn't get out a crock pot post and I've been trying my hardest to figure out time to take more pictures of my stuff and add to my etsy site, but its just been a crazy few weeks. My goal is to try to take some this afternoon.

I'll be participating in the Rhythm and Blooms event at the Riverbanks Zoo...taking my camera and plan to take a bunch of photos of my stuff there!

Crawfish Festival

2010-05-02T19:04:00.001-07:00

Had a great time at the Rosewood Crawfish Festival.

To anyone who stopped by - thank you!

To anyone who purchased items - I greatly appreciate your business.

I'm working to get some additional items added to Etsy, but for the time being if you have a particular item (be it hat, necklace or any other item) please feel free to email me and I will gladly work with you to make the custom item that you would love!

gamecockjen@yahoo.com.

Recycling onesies/baby clothes

2010-04-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to figure out what to do with old onesies/outfits that Jackson can't wear anymore. Some of them I didn't want to put up. Some I didn't want to part with. And yes, some I've already stored away in case we decide to add to the brood.

Realistically I didn't want to save all of the clothes for a potential "second" anyway because:

1. We didn't even really use all of the ones we had not anyway.
2. Even if we have another, we are kidding ourselves to think that we wouldn't end up buying more clothes anyway. As frugal as I love to be, clothes can be pretty cheap, plus people like to give them.

Hence my researching different recycling projects. I now have two projects at hand. One that I have completed (see below) and one that I am going to collect items for.

The latter is a small blanket/quilt made out of onesies. Specifically, since Jackson has a good bit of Gamecock apparel, I would love to make a small quilt out of all of his Gamecock stuff as he grows out of it. I've already put aside several onesies that either fit this bill directly or match it (like black ones where I could use just a plain black square to fill in). I'm collecting those as he outgrows them and putting them to the side until I have enough to satisfy my needs.

The first project though is my "onesie crinkle blanket" project. Here is the link to the site where I got the idea: http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2010/04/recycle-stained-clothes-into-baby-toy/ Her's are nicer than mine. I did this and didn't think to go get some more ribbon to use. Not to mention that the jersey fabric onesies that I used were not easy to sew with. The fabric of course was worn and so it made it harder to work with and get straight lines.

I took these items of clothing (two onesies, one gown, one shirt and a hat/cap):

And turned it into this:

And since you can't actually hear it through the pics, when you play with them they crinkle!

Crock Pot Monday: Reuben Dip

2010-04-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have not actually made this yet, but this is next on my list. I do love a good reuben anyway, so having it in dip form is exciting!

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) jar sauerkraut, drained
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 cups shredded cooked corned beef
1/4 cup thousand island dressing

Directions

In a slow cooker, combine the sauerkraut, cream cheese, Swiss cheese, corned beef and thousand island dressing. Cover, and cook on high for 45 minutes if you're in a hurry, low for longer if you're not, or just until hot and cheese is melted. Stir occasionally while cooking. Serve with cocktail rye or crackers.

Cool new buttons

2010-04-22T11:24:00.001-07:00

I'm adding these cool new buttons to the side of the page!

It pays to be frugal...

2010-04-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a nice little frugal tid bit:

I purchase diapers for Jackson at Babies R Us most of the time. I am brand loyal to Pampers (it's a preference). I usually wait until I get coupons for $5 off of the boxes and stock up.

I have a Rewards card with Babies R Us.

After you purchase several boxes, you get a nice little voucher in the mail for a FREE value box of pampers.

That's a $40 deal right there. I just got mine in the mail yesterday and I am giddy. And I'm running over there to pick up my box at lunch!

Deal alert: Dairy Queen has BOGO for $.25!

2010-04-19T11:00:00.001-07:00

In honor of DQ's 25th birthday, blizzards are BOGO for only $.25 tomorrow (check your local store). That's a great deal!

Crock Pot Monday: Italian Sandwich Beef

2010-04-19T10:59:00.001-07:00

This is from Allrecipes.com, which is an excellent site for recipes:

Ingredients

3 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon onion salt 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 bay leaf 1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix 1 (5 pound) rump roast

Directions

Combine water with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix in a saucepan. Stir well, and bring to a boil.

Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat.

Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork.

Piggly Wiggly Greenbax Deal

2010-04-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

I probably should have posted earlier, but there is an awesome deal going on with Piggly Wiggly right now. If you use 10 coupons (up to 10) per visit there, you will get an extra Greenbax per coupon used!

This goes through the end of April.

I'm SOOO close to getting a free car seat (convertible). It's one of the ones I've been looking at anyway, so that's kind of cool.

Crock Pot Monday this week: epic fail

2010-04-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Didn't get in my crock pot post this week. Boo on me.

Hopefully I'll get one (maybe two) in next week.

Tales of Negotiation

2010-04-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

My husband and I recently decided to do a few home improvements to make way for baby! We needed a new storage shed to keep all of the odds and ends Jackson is ultimately going to outgrow (that we want to hold on to just in case we decide to have another munchkin). Since we're starting to outgrow things now and we are running out of indoor storage space, this jumped up on our priority list.

I went and got a quote on a new shed. It was kind of expensive, but not as bad as I thought.

While we were brainstorming, we thought "hey - we really need a new fence too." Ours is very old and has old wood and nails and it screams TETANUS.

I called up the place that quoted us for the shed. I explained what we wanted and they sent out an estimator. The guy told us how much the fence would cost.

It was actually MORE than I thought (I had no idea how much a fence would cost).

Fast forward - I called and told them we were thinking about doing both and wanted to see if, in doing both, they'd give us a price break.

Several conversations later, basically for a little more than the price of the fence we're also getting the shed. And they are going to tear out our existing stuff and haul away the old.

That's going to save us about $1000.

Vera Bradley Deal Alert

2010-04-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Vera Bradley Stephanie bag is on sale today for only $29! I own this style bag already and use it as my every day purse. Only when I bought it, it was "on sale" for $45. It is very roomy and has lots of pockets. I am tempted to buy a new one at this price. If you are looking for a new bag, this one is cute and $29 is an excellent price for this. Now if only Vera Bradley came out with more free shipping coupon codes...

Crock Pot Monday: Grape Jelly Meatballs

2010-04-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Grape jelly meatballs are an excellent snack, appetizer, etc. that you can prepare in your crock pot. They are easy to do. Make them healthier by using turkey meatballs - no one will know the difference.

1 package frozen prepared meatballs (usually a package has around 60).
1 bottle Heinz 57 chili sauce
1 jar grape jelly

Heat grape jelly and sauce in crock pot first and stir every few minutes till the jelly is more liquidy.

Once it is liquidy, add frozen meatballs and cook on low for 4 hours.

I also usually keep an extra bag of meatballs handy because I can usually add more to the sauce afterwards for a second round.

Tuesday Tales: What NOT to do when you want to save money on photos

2010-03-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

This is just a short story about how I thought I was going to get a good deal and ended up dropping more dough than I wanted to:

I had an appointment to go to Sears on Saturday. I had received a coupon in the mail for a portrait package there for $4.99. I thought "gee - that's a lot of photos and I'm SURE I can just get one pose...I mean, Jackson doesn't like the camera anyway so I'll probably only get one really good one."

What a joke.

I went in there with Jackson and he proceeded to take the best pictures ever. Which meant I ended up walking out of there with $150 less than I had before.

Moral of the story:

When it comes to photos of your kids, be prepared to be suckered into spending more than you think...

Crock Pot Monday: Coke BBQ

2010-03-29T07:26:00.000-07:00

This could be one of the easiest recipes that ever existed. Two ingredients. No real prep. But this recipe yields tender, fall off the roast BBQ.

Ingredients:

1/2 boston butt. (if you have a big enough crock pot you can do the whole thing, but I like the smaller portion of using half of the full "butt")

1 20 oz coca-cola

1. Put the butt in the crock pot.
2. Pour the coca-cola over
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.

That's it! Once it is done, you pull out the meat and gently pull apart with a fork. Serve by itself or on a bun, with bbq sauce if you'd like. Delicious!

PYOL: Pack Your Own Lunch

2010-03-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going to share/give this advice right now, however I'll be the first to admit that I don't always follow my own advice.

This might sound like a no-brainer, but if you work out of home and in an office, packing your own lunch can be an excellent way to save money. And, as a bonus, packing your own lunch can also save you extra calories too!

For example: Let's just say that you go with the cheapest value meal on McDonalds menu each day - the double cheeseburger meal for $2.99 (and for this example, I'm going to avoid calculating any taxes or ahem, biggie sizing anything).

$2.99 x 5 days a week x 52 weeks per year = $777.40

Or you can get a can of Campbell's Select Harvet soup each day for $1.50 per can.

$1.50 x 5 days a week x 52 weeks per year = $390

That's a $387.40 savings per year at least! Often when we eat out, we splurge and end up spending even more. I never get the $2.99 meal - I often opt for a salad, bottled water, and then top it off with an iced coffee and spend upwards of $10 for lunch!

But of course I know that people avoid bringing their own lunch because it isn't as fun. So how do you make it fun?

1. First and foremost - grab a lunch buddy! If you can find someone else who is interested in dining in with you, it makes it easier. Half of eating out tends to be the socialization. Why not get someone else involved with you to bring lunch in? You can even take turns bringing the lunch and make it fun!

2. Bring left overs. When canned soup and tv dinners don't cut it, bring in leftovers from the night before.

3. It's all in the presentation. Eating leftovers or tv dinners or soup out of the boring packaging can be depressing. Grab a pretty plate that you like and keep it in the office. Serve your food on it daily to make your food seem more posh.

4. Don't eat in your work position. If you have some place in your office to go to get away for a moment to eat - this would be optimal. However, even if you can't, try to turn to a different position or angle from your normal work setting. If you normally sit directly in front of your computer (like I do), turn to the side. It won't feel as monotonous.

5. Have back up plans. I like to keep a small stock of non-perishable options in my desk drawer (various soups, ramen noodles, etc.) so that if I'm not feeling what I brought in that day, I have some options. It's also great for the days where I forget to prepare.

My new favorite website

2010-03-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

I found my new favorite website/blog:

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/

This site is full of great DIY homemade crafting tutorials and ideas!

Now if only I could craft some more hours into my day!

Crock Pot Monday: Italian Chicken Alfredo

2010-03-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start a weekly post of crock pot recipes that I'm trying out. Crock pot cooking is an excellent way to get a great bang for your buck, stretch your food dollars, and also save a ton of time and energy in the kitchen.

As a new mom, it is imperative that I find ways to cut corners and costs and crock pot/slow cooker cooking is the best way that I've found to do this.

Italian Chicken Alfredo
(This is modified from this recipe found on allrecipes.com. I modified based on the ingredients I had readily available)
1 package of chicken breasts (I purchased a bunch on a buy one, get one sale and froze a bunch - these packages have approximately 3-4 good sized breasts in them)
1/2 regular bottle italian dressing (less than $1 at Aldi)
1 package spaghetti noodles or fettucini noodles (less than $1)
1 package cream cheese (I prefer the Neufchâtel lower fat alternative - generic brand is around $1)
1 can cream mushroom
oregano/parsley to season/taste

1. Cut up chicken breasts into smaller, bite size chunks. Toss in the crock pot.
2. Pour 1/2 container of dressing into the crock pot and mix.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours.
4. At 4 hours, add melted cream cheese and cream of mushroom and mix. Add parsley and oregano to taste.
5. Let sit for another hour.
6. When you are close to serving time, prepare noodles in boiled water as per directions. Prepare to your liking (ie, if you like al dente, etc.)
7. Serve chicken mixture/sauce over noodles.

If you want, you can serve with a green tossed salad.
7. Add

Hair Care Tip

2010-03-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

Are you using too much product?

A lot of people think that more is better when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. That's actually not true. You only need about a dime size amount of product to wash and condition your hair. More than that is overkill and doesn't make your hair any cleaner or more illustrious. In fact, using too much conditioner can make your hair dirtier and weigh it down, while too much shampoo can strip your hair of extra nutrients.

Not only that - but it helps you save too. If you aren't washing that extra product down the drain, it will extend the life.

What to skip when creating a baby registry...

2010-02-24T10:28:00.000-08:00

When I found out I was pregnant, I was excited about the prospect of creating a baby registry.

When I actually created one, I was overwhelmed.

When you are pregnant, you get tons of advice - some solicited, some not. A lot of people will tell you what you surely need and what you shouldn't get.

If you have tons and tons of family who want to buy things for you and have endless resources for spending, then by all means go all out. However, knowing what I know now there are several things that I would have changed regarding my registry that would have saved me money and been more beneficial for me:

Do not get a ton of "newborn" sized anything. Get one outfit to begin with to see if it will fit. If you get more, do NOT take off tags and wash yet because you may need to return them. My son couldn't fit into most newborn sized items, ever. You can always go out and get more should you need them.
Don't buy multiples of things unless you know for a fact that you will need/use them. I got several swaddlers before hand because I thought surely I would use them. When he was so little it was much easier to swaddle using receiving blankets but by the time I thought to use the actual swaddlers, he was not interested in swaddling. I also got several different "types" of wraps or carriers....I actually only use one of them. The rest have gone to waste. Also I bought one type of bottles because I thought I would like them. I didn't. So then I had to turn around and buy all new bottles of a different kind.
Do register for bigger clothes ...down the road. You will be amazed at how quickly those kids grow. My son is 5 months old and in some styles/brands, he is already wearing 9 month clothing. Kids can grow into them.
Don't go crazy registering for too many clothes. Some outfits never got worn by my little man. And I quickly found out which ones I like and which ones I don't. (Some are more user friendly....like anything with zippers as opposed to buttons).
You don't need 40 something activity toys. There are so many bouncers, jumpers, walkers, exersaucers, etc. out there. You don't need multiples of these items. Some are good for the time being and some are good for different stages, but honestly a good deal of it is overkill.

Those are just a few suggesetions. I guess my overall gist is that it is hard to anticipate what you and/or your baby will like and even though you want to be prepared, it isn't always the best idea to go ahead and get things.

When in doubt, gift cards are a great way to go.

Deal Alert: Old Navy

2010-01-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

Old Navy (website: www.oldnavy.com) has an awesome clearance right now. I just stocked up on a ton of basics (plain tees/tops, yoga pants, etc.). None of the tops I bought were more than $5 a piece - with most being around $2.99 or $3.99.

After Christmas Clearance

2010-01-09T07:50:00.001-08:00

Here's how to shop after Christmas Clearance to get the best deals:

Now is the best time to shop after Christmas Clearance. The rookie frugalista may think that the best time is right after Christmas, however it is best to wait. Why? Well first of all, right after Christmas, most "Clearance" items are only marked at 50% off. That may seem like a lot, but not when you consider that waiting an extra week can save you anywhere from 75% off to 90% off! Also, there is a much bigger selection at first so you may get carried away with the "oh wow, its on sale so I must buy it even if I don't want it or need it" bug.

What to Get:

Pick up wrapping paper and other wrapping supplies.
Christmas decor that you actually will use (for example, if you need a new Christmas tree topper, now is the time to get it. But don't pick up extra odds and ends that will just take up space).
Non-dated/generic Christmas ornaments - When you get them at a great deal, you can use them for lots of things and actually make wonderful package trimmings. And when you get them for 10 cents a piece, it isn't too shabby.
Christmas cards for the next year.

What Not to Get:

Don't pick up the candy unless you absolutely need it (I've picked up Clearance candy for work events, but that's it). You don't really need the extra calories and when you buy it in bulk, it will tempt you to no end.
Don't get any gift items that are dated OR are trendy. For example - don't pick up that Jonas Brothers notebook that is on clearance for 95% off...you never know if they will be hot when you need to gift the item.
Don't get a ton of generic "gifts" that you are planning to stash for extra presents. You'll find better deals throughout the year, plus you may end up with a closet full of stuff that you never end up gifting.
Don't get more things than you can comfortably store. What's the point of loading up on goodies if you are going to be miserable finding a place to store them?

Pointer: If you buy things for next year, remember to place them or store them in a place where you will remember them. If you are going to get a good deal on Christmas cards, they don't do a bit of good if you don't remember where you put them next year!

Why Aldi Can Cut Your Grocery Costs

2009-03-17T12:29:00.001-07:00

First of all - this is my first Frugal Fairy post in a long time. Pretty much since before Christmas. Which is sad.

However it is probably because I am pregnant! So I've had other things on my mind besides writing blogs.

But don't worry - with being a mom comes more opportunities for me to blog about things. And I promise I won't ONLY blog about mommy things.

So, onto my post....

The other day while I was shopping at Aldi, I thought to myself "gee, why don't more people shop here?". Then I also thought "gee, why don't more grocery stores adopt the Aldi model?"

So here is a user's guide to Aldi, for those of you who have never been:

Bring a quarter: The first thing you'll notice when you arrive at Aldi is that you have to lend a quarter to get your shopping cart. Actually, because of this one of the first things you may notice at Aldi is that there are no rogue buggies roaming the parking lot searching for cars to dent. In order to get a cart, you must deposit a quarter into a little contraption. But don't worry, when you return your cart you will get a quarter back...not your same quarter, but a quarter still.
BYOB (Bring your own bags): Aldi was green before green was trendy. To keep costs down for you, Aldi does not provide you or supply you with any bags. Whatever you put into your cart will ultimately end back up in your cart, just like that. It is up to you, the customer, to provide bags and bag your own groceries. Yes, you are cutting out the "luxury" of a bag boy/girl - but then you can package your groceries any way you want to! I bring my own bags from home. However Aldi does have paper bags (for 5 cents I believe) and sturdy, reusable plastic bags (for 10 cents). You can also often find leftover packing boxes up front that are there for your use as well.
No fancy shelves: Just to properly forewarn you, Aldi has no frills once inside. Most of the products are placed on a few shelves or are merely in boxes on pallets on the floor. You may get more of a discount/warehouse vibe from Aldi - but that's fine for me!
Limited selection: Let me also forewarn you that you probably will not be able to buy all of your groceries at Aldi. Aldi has a limited selection of items. Mostly what I would consider staples. You can purchase things like flour, sugar, cooking oil, milk, eggs, etc. at Aldi. Most products tend to be of an off brand (Aldi brand) but are of good quality. Every once in a while they will have "special purchase" items that might be of a brand (lately I saw Easter candy, including Cadbury and Nestle, just to name some brands). But I wouldn't count on it every time.
Bonus Perk 1: Since Aldi is a Europeon based company, some of the foods they carry are actually imported. Aldi has some AWESOME chocolate there. Some of the stuff is ridiculously cheap but comporable to many imported chocolates I've found for much more money!
Bonus Perk 2: I tend to think that people (shoppers and staff) are actually a lot more friendly at Aldi. Almost every time that I have been to Aldi, someone in the parking lot has offered to trade me a quarter for my buggy so I didn't have to return it and they didn't have to "check one out". Other shoppers pretty much always slide down/provide/place the courtesy bar/divider between groceries. At other stores I generally have to ask. But at Aldi, most of the time someone will pass it down. I also think most Aldi's allow their check out clerks to sit on stools instead of standing on their feet all day. I personally know that would make me a happier employee - so I'm assuming that's why I encounter so many happy ones!
Best Perk: The prices are incredible. I went the other day and bought and entire cart filled to the top with staples such as cereal, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, milk, eggs, bread, english muffins, fresh veggies, canned veggies, juice, cheese, cream cheese, biscuits, hamburger patties, roasting meat, frozen pizzas, sherbert, microwave meals, soups, and more and spent a total of $93! No coupons necessary either. I know for a fact that had I shopped for these items, even at a discount place like Walmart, I would have paid at least $140 for the same items.

Frugality = Compromise

2009-01-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

As you are making your New Year's Resolutions (I try not to make any because I never keep them), you may be making one to be more frugal this year.

As someone who lives a pretty frugal lifestyle already, I have one piece of advice for those who are looking to spend less: You HAVE to be willing to compromise.

There is a simple equation here: The pickier you are, the more something is going to cost you (both in time and money).

For example, let's say you're going on vacation. You need to book a flight. If you say "I want to leave at exactly this time on exactly this day and have no connecting flights" you are going to pay an arm and a leg. However if you say, "I can leave at ANY time on this day or maybe leave a day earlier, and don't mind an extra connecting flight" your price can drop dramatically. In making travel plans myself, I've seen my airline ticket fee drop $1,000 just by being flexible with my arrival, departure, and specifics.

Let's say you want to get a dog. You can be very specific and say "I want a tea cup yorkie that is AKC" and pay an arm and a leg from a "breeder" or you can say "I want a small dog" and get one at a rescue for a small adoption fee (and my local rescue actually includes the first set of shots AND getting spayed or neutered). You'll pay much more for your specific breed of dog than a rescue dog. Or you can have the best of both worlds and get your dog from a specific breed rescue! (Getting on my soap box here: I encourage everyone to look at rescues first. There are so many wonderful dogs sitting in rescues or in the pound that are loving and just need a place to go. All of my pets have been from rescues and they are phenomenal! Breeders only contribute to the current cat/dog overpopulation situation. Stepping down from soap box.)

Let's say you want to try out a new restaurant. You can go on a Friday night and order off their dinner menu and get some drinks and pay out the wazoo. Or you can maybe go at lunch (if they serve) and order something at a cheaper price and maybe forego the drinks! Bonus: It probably isn't as crowded at lunch.

Money aside, learning to be flexible can also win you brownie points in the customer service area. Many times when something doesn't go exactly as planned at a hotel, restaurant, etc. the staff approaches you as if they expect you to get mad and be furious and demand things. Recently I went to lunch with a friend. She ordered a chicken ceaser salad. When she got the salad, it didn't have any chicken on it. She politely asked the waiter if it was supposed to have chicken on it. He sort of freaked out and apologized profusely and said he'd get the chicken. Well, he forgot it and she went ahead and started eating the salad. When she was almost done, he came back and apologized again. She wasn't angry, just said "I'm ok. It's no problem as long I am not charged for it." He then went to his boss and got them to take off the entire entree. She wasn't mean, she wasn't demanding. She was sweet and flexible. And because of that, they took off the entree and then came back and offered dessert and extra service on the house.

Learning to compromise on certain issues will help you spend less over time.

Recycle and get free stuff

2008-12-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

I just did something today that I had forgotten about before.

Occassionally I treat myself to some MAC makeup. I love this brand because they have an excellent assortment of colors and products. They are all high quality and have great lasting power. But did you also know about their "Back to MAC" program?

Yes, MAC makeup has a recycling program which I wish more companies would mimic. Here's how it works:

Purchase MAC makeup

Save your plastic containers

When you have six (6) of the empty/used containers, you can return them to a MAC counter or mail them to MAC and you'll get a FREE tube of MAC lipstick! That is a $14 value. Here's the return form with information: http://www.maccosmetics.com/pdfs/back_to_mac.pdf

Not only do you get the tube of lipstick, but you are also doing your part for the environment! Now if only we could get more brands on board with this neat idea! I was actually thinking that it would be neat if, for every 6 Starbucks cups you recycle, you got a free latte!

What brands could you benefit from?

What's better than frugal spending? Free stuff!!!

2008-12-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

I just have to share my latest little victory in the shopping world.

Over a month ago I went to Victoria's Secret (which I'll refer to as VS for the rest of this entry) because I had one of those "Free Panty" cards. Whenever I get these, I always use them because, well, they are free. So I went in and I got my free panty. Since I was there and they had their other panties on sale, I bought some of those. When I paid for my purchase, I received a promotional card that said:

Come back to VS between December 1- December 24 and use this card on your purchase. It's a secret, but you'll get $10, $25, $100, or $500 off of your purchase.

I dutifully put the card in my wallet with my other "coupon cards" and went on my merry way.

Yesterday I went to the mall with my husband. He wanted to get me a little something extra for Christmas and wanted me to pick out what I wanted. I said "well, I love a particular parfume VS sells and I have this gift card, so lets check it out."

We went into the "beauty" side of the store only. (As a side note, I don't normally buy my lingerie and undergarments at VS because they are above my "priceline" for those items. I will buy undies if they are on sale, but I've literally never owned a VS bra because it is hard for me to palatte the price tag.

I looked around for a gift set of my favorite parfume, but I didn't see any in that area. I decided that I didn't want my "coupon card" to go to waste, so I selected two tubes of gloss, on sale for 2 for $12.

I went to the cashier to pay for it. She rang it up, I gave her my card, and she swiped it. It didn't say that I owed anything. I thought that was strange because I figured it was $10 and that I would have a balance of a little over $2 to pay. She looked funny too. She checked the balance of the card and low and behold, I had received a $100 card!!!! I was very excited and so of course went on a mini shopping spree. We went to the other side and I found on a table a gift set of the perfume I wanted (Yay!) and as an added bonus, it was 40% off!! Then I bought two bras (buy one, get one 1/2 off). After I used my card we only owed $25.

So, for $25 out of pocket, I got two beautiful bras (retail $48 each), a parfume gift set (retail $58), and my two tubes of lip gloss.

Moral of the story - always check into the deals that are presented to you. While some may seem like cheap marketing ploys, some may earn you money!

Frugal Holiday Advice

2008-12-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

My wonderful co-worker and I were having a conversation yesterday and she urged me to blog on what we were discussing.

I'm all for cutting corners: With your money, with your time, etc. But there is one area that you must NEVER cut corners on, and that's with your friends and family.

With all of the demand that we have on our time, it is often really easy to blow off friends and family because we always figure that "they are our friend/family, so they'll understand."

I've often catch myself debating this: I have a busy week. I've had to work overtime, be at committee meetings for a group I'm in, run to doctor's appointments on lunch breaks, run umpteen different errands, etc. I'm supposed to drive up to my parents for the weekend, but all I really want to do is go home and veg out. What do I do?

Part of me says: Just tell your mom and dad that you have had a rough week and that all you want to do is chill.

But the part that wins out says: Life is too short. One day you won't be able to spend time with them and you'll regret it.

Now I understand when something else happens and you just can't do something - I felt terrible this past week because my friend was graduating (getting her PhD!!!!) on Friday about 4 hours away. I really wanted to see her, to be there for her. But, alas, there is so much going on at work that I just couldn't take the whole day off on Friday. Even if I had blown off work, I'd probably be way too preoccupied with what all I had to do that I'd have an anxiety attack. So unfortunately I just couldn't physically make it.

But when you can, splurge on time and activities with your family. Those are great investments to make! And I can guarantee you that you'll get a healthy return on investment from it!

Home Made Gift Idea: Coupon Books

2008-12-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

Coupon books aren't just for Mother's Day any more.

I love making little coupon books. I know that they may seem cheesy to some, but for me they are an old standby.

People have a lot of stuff. By stuff I mean all of the physical possessions you own. While sometimes I may think to myself "man I really need this new XYZ product", I really don't. I have tons of "stuff" sitting around my house. That's why I am constantly rummaging through things, clearing out, and getting rid of items (via yard sales, donations, and freecycling). Of course then I turn around and either buy or receive more "stuff" and thus the cycle continues.

However, throughout the year I can recall countless times where I've thought "wow, I could really use some help doing _______." That's where coupon books come in.

To the right I have two items that I created: the cover for a coupon book and then the actual certificates. Feel free to print and use these to make your own coupon books.

What makes a good coupon?

If you are a kid, it is cute and easy to include coupons that are "good for one free hug". However the grown-up version has plenty of other options. Here are some suggestions for good coupon vouchers for grown-ups. Keep in mind that you should always customize your coupons to the recipient. Personalization is what really makes the gift special:

One free night of baby sitting: Only include this if you would actually feel comfortable baby sitting.
One day of baby sitting (or a few hours): For the purpose of running errands, etc.
Hassle-free lawn care: I just imagined this being a good gift for a husband to give his wife - she could just hand in the coupon and he would just go do the lawn, no fussing allowed!
No strings attached back rub: Self explanatory if you catch my drift...
Girls (or guys) night out: A coupon for staging a girl or guy only get together.
One hour of down time: Good husband/wife coupon where the recipient can just have one hour of down time where he/she can just close the door and not be asked to do anything. You could include multiples of these.
Guilt-free nap: Same principle as the above.
Dinner's on me: This one ultimately costs money, but this is a nice one to include for spouses or friends.

There are actually many more ideas that you can pull from. You can get very abstract like "a shoulder to cry on" pass. You could also go for humorous ones like a pass to get you out of answering the "does this make my butt look big" question. You can also use them to refer to personal jokes, like a "don't judge me because I bought that" pass.

You'll have fun making them. The recipient will have fun receiving them. And they'll have even more fun redeeming. Plus the gift has a nice throw-back charm to childhood.

Home Made Gift Idea: The Perfect Pedicure

2008-11-30T11:56:00.001-08:00

I have the perfect gift for the girly-girl in your life: The Perfect Pedicure. This idea is a two-for, as in you can use it as a gift giving guide AND you can use it for yourself. I've been doing my own nails/pedicures at home for years and years. It started off because I was in college and wanted to have cute nails, but couldn't afford the trips to the manicurist. But as I've grown older, I've come to make this a ritual that I enjoy more than getting my nails done professionally. And, it is a heck of a lot cheaper.

I'm going to go through and number the items to go into the kit and then explain how to use each one of them. Just an idea, but you may want to do the same (add a cute instruction card with the gift) to really show how to use these:

The Perfect Pedicure Ingredients and Instructions:

1. 1 Box Herbal Tea: Let me suggest Yogi Tea Meditative tea (http://yogitea.elsstore.com/view/category/559-mind-tea/?items_page=9&page=2 =2). This is a delicious tea that helps you relax. On the site it is $4.39 per box, but I've actually seen it cheaper in health food stores and even recently in the tea aisle/section at Walmart! How to use it: I suggest brewing a small pot of tea before you begin your pedicure. Place the tea pot and mug somewhere close to you so that as you relax, the tea is by your side for enjoyment. Do not toss the tea bag...I'll explain in a moment.

2. Wide, Shallow Plastic Container: First of all, this will be the perfect container to put all of the goodies in. Secondly, it will be used for the soak. The container that I use I actually got at the dollar tree. It looks similar to the item at the right, but is wider and a tad bit more shallow. It is the perfect size and cost $1. They also have just basic clear plastic containers that work well too. Check out all of the areas for possible items to use. How to use: Fill this tub about half way with very warm/hot water (as hot as you can take it). Now add the left over tea bag after your tea is ready. By the time the tea bag has been used and it has been put into the larger container of water, it is diluted enough to where there isn't much of a chance of it staining your skin. I got this idea from a spa I went to and I really liked it. It's a nice way to soak your feet. I'm a firm believer in the healing power of tea, both when ingested and even when used topically.

3. Foot brush/pumice stone: One of these combo brushes (example here: http://www.sallybeauty.com/Pumice-Foot-Brush/SBS-177215,default,pd.html) is perfect for double duty. It allows you to scrub your feet after they have soaked for a while. Then use the pumice stone side to wear down any rough spots or calluses. I showed that one, but the one that I have is actually from, you guessed it, the Dollar Tree, for $1. Yay.

4. Nail Buffer Block: I love these! I'm sure you've seen them, but if you haven't tried them, I think they are the best! The one I have is similar to the one on the right (though not exact). I just replaced mine with one I got at Target. I can't remember if it was $1.49 or $1.97 (weird amounts to remember, right) but I know it was less than $2. Look for the blocks that are labeled on all sides. Mine is actually numbered too, so that you know to use which ones in which order. By the time you gently use each side of the block on your nail, it is shiny and smooth. Use the filing edge to file the edges of your nails into the shape you'd like. When you are finished with your nails this way, you can choose to leave them "blank" as I like to call it (no polish) or you can use this base as the perfect way to start your polish job.

5. Cuticle Pen: I just came across these from one of my favorite little splurge sites (www.eyeslipsface.com). I do mean little splurge too, since most items are $1. When I feel like I want to try a new color or something different with my makeup, I hit ELF and will probably refer to it frequently on my site as I've found some great bargains there on products that are definitely worth more than what I paid for them. This particular product, http://www.eyeslipsface.com/nails/nourishing_cuticle_pen, is a cuticle pen. Simply take off the cap and use the sturdy, treatment filled tip to push back your cuticles and run it around the edges to soften the skin. It contains nourishing oils which are perfect for your skin and cuticles. No cutting required! (Which by the way, I read somewhere that cuticle cutting is bad for you, so I try to never do this!)

6. Toe Separators: Again, at ELF, I found bargain toe seperators for $1 (http://www.eyeslipsface.com/nails/toe_separators). Regardless of whether or not you are planning to paint your toe nails, I suggest using these babies for at least a few minutes. There is something completely relaxing about putting them between your toes, feeling that little bit of stretch there, and then taking them out and feeling the relief and relaxation. I actually will use my toe separators even if I'm not doing the full on pedicure. Put them on, sit back for a few minutes and relax.

7. Foot cream. If you are going to splurge on any part of this, a good foot cream can go a long way. While you can find some items that are less expensive at drug stores, I really like the Mentha Foot Tingling Foot Cream from the CO Bigelow line at Bath and Body Works. It runs $14 for a tube, but that will last you a long time as a little will go a long way. Rub this on your feet and sit back for a while. It tingles a little, giving you this really neat sensation. And again, a little goes a long way. If you aren't polishing, you can stop right here. If you are polishing, go ahead.

8. Cute nail polish. ELF has a lot of cute nail polish colors for only $1 each: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/nails/nail_polish. If you are getting for yourself, get what you like. If you are getting for a gift, I'd probably stick with one of the french manicure sets found here: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/nails/nail_polish_sets. ($3 for the set of three). Before you polish, I suggest swiping nail polish remover over each toe. You can get nail polish remover pads at ELF as well (for $1 of course). You can add those to the gift set if you'd like. I swipe the nail polish remover over the nails at this point because if you've used the foot cream, you'll want to get rid of that from the tops of your nails. Now, if you normally keep your toes painted (as I do) then skip doing a base coat. I never let my toes go naked (without polish) so if a dark color stains a tad, I'm not worried. If you do go without polish though, use a top coat of clear polish first to protect them. Then do your color. I prefer dark on my toes In fact, I usually use my toes to go crazy. I'll use bright colors, purples, greens, blues on my toes. It's a fun little way to go a little crazy, but without losing my professional appearance. I try to be more conservative on my finger nails.

Nail polish application technique: I have a quick and easy nail polish technique - which is to use three simple strokes. One wide, flat stroke against the left edge of the nail. One wide flat stroke against the right. One down the middle. If you do it correctly, that's all you'll need. It reduces room for mistakes. If you do get it on the edge of your nail bed, I usually leave it. Once it dries, you can scrape it off pretty easy.

Apply 2 coats of your color polish. Any more is overkill. Let several minutes (5) pass between coat applications.

Apply 1 coat of clear polish.

Sit and relax.

9. Here is where you can get creative. Personally, during the whole process, I like to use it as girly time. My pedicure used to be my Sunday night ritual, that I would do all while sitting back and watching Sex and the City. Now I tend to time it around other shows I like to watch that are girly, like the Real Housewives of...whatever, Project Runway, or even Grey's Anatomy. If you are giving as a gift, feel free to add in a girly movie, DVD series, etc. Or if the person is a music lover, throw in a relaxing CD of some sort. Book lovers? Throw in a book too! If they are relaxing with their tootsies propped up, what better time is there to get in some reading.

Well, that's my solution to the perfect pedicure. If you want to get a little more involved, you can do things like using a "shaver" for extra rough feet. Or you can use a scrub on your feet. They also have special treatments that you can put on your feet and then wrap them up to get them nice and moist.

But whatever you do, I suggest that you make it special. People spend the extra money at spas and salons so that they can feel pampered. If you try to do your nails in between loads of laundry and dishes, then it is just another chore. But if you sit back, relax, and block of an "appointment" time of your own at home, then it is more of a treat.

Plus, if you want an even more frugal way of looking at it, you can "tip yourself" at the end of your pedicure and put $5 or $10 in your savings account. If you give yourself a pedicure each week, that's $40 a month right there! You'd tip a manicurist wouldn't you? So tip yourself instead! Or if you really want to start saving, put the entire amount (including tip) that you would have spent on the pedicure into your savings. All of that will add up over time.

Enjoy!

Black Friday Shopping Diary

2008-11-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

This is probably way too much information, but I thought I'd share my Black Friday experience. My dad went with me this year,, which was his first time going on on Black Friday. He was a great companion shopper as he was pretty much just along for the ride. And he kept offering to carry bags. So yay!

Let me also preface this with the fact that my husband knows I love to shop myself (and he doesn't, which is fine with me). So he and I talked the night before and I asked if I could buy some stuff for myself that he could wrap and put under the tree. I know some of you may scoff at this idea, thinking it uncaring, unromantic, whatever. But it was a win-win situation for both. I get the joy of shopping, getting good deals, and picking out exactly what I want. He gets to get me exactly what I want and make me happy. Win, Win.

Or as Michael Scott would say: Win, Win, Win.

3:15 AM : Wake up and get ready.

3:40 AM: Leave the house.

4:00 AM: Get to JC Penney right as the door is opened. Dad and I each get our cute snow globes (for free) to add to my collection. Shop around for goodies. Got a gift for my hubby (won't go into detail in case he reads this). Stand in long line and pay.

4:40 AM: Wrap up at JC Penney. We get a tip from another shopper that the first guests into Belk get a gift card. We head to Belk.

5:00 AM: We are in fact in the "first" to get in. Dad and I each get a $5 gift card. I also have a 15% off coupon. I eye a gorgeous sweater that another woman is carrying. I track down the location. The sweater is on a 50% off rack. Was $44. Now is $22. Plus I have the 15% off coupon. Then I have the gift cards. I love the sweater so much that I pick out two colors. For a little more than $30, I get two gorgeous sweaters (from hubby to me). We got upstairs. I buy my dad (who was with me and actually picked them out) three Van Heusen button down shirts. They are Buy ONE, Get TWO free. So I buy one, get two free. And I got to use my 15% off coupon again! Score! Dad's gift down!

5:45 AM: Consider buying moisturizer from Lancome. I need some more and figured I could again use my 15% off coupon. Then I remembered that I was going to save and get a drug store brand. Skip out on the expense. (I was saving, right?)

6:00 AM: Other stores in the mall begin opening. Went to Williams Sonoma with my dad. Went to Champs with my dad. (Both of these stores were his idea).

6:30 AM: Bath and Body Works. They have all of their regular line on sale, buy 3 get 2 free. They also have this cool tote with full size products, a $106 value for only $15 with a $40 purchase. I get some stuff (for gifts), he gets some stuff (for gifts), and then he treats me to the bag of goodies (thanks Dad!). I will say that this bag was a great value, as I got two full size shower gels, two full size lotions, headache relief aromotherapy, new bath pouf, a bag, and more. Not shabby for $15.

6:45 AM: My dad stands in line and finishes up our purchases and Bath and Body Works (awwww) while I go ahead over to New York and Company. I find a cute handbag for 50% off that I like. I pick it up as a gift for me, from hubby. Unbeknownst to me, I get a free watch. Yay!

7:00 AM: Head to World Market. Get a few little goodies for today.

7:15 AM: Get scratching post present for cats for Christmas.

7:30 AM: Get video game for my brother at Best Buy, using some reward certificates ($10 worth). Yay.

8:00 AM: Finish up the morning with a breakfast (treated by dad) at IHOP. How sweet.

I still have to run out to Walmart later on this weekend and see if I can get that vaccuum for my grandma. That wasn't a doorbuster though. Hopefully Walmart will have more in stock. I just couldn't do Walmart this AM.

Homemade Gifts: "In a Jar" mixes

2008-11-26T05:40:00.000-08:00

One thing that I am probably notoriously famous for in my family is my use/love of home made gifts. I have a close family, therefore all of my extended family likes to give gifts to each other (aunts, uncles, cousins). I love my family and love giving them gifts, but often it is hard to decipher what they want or what they already have.

Because of this I started making some home made gifts, reasoning that whatever I made would be unique and surely they wouldn't already have it!

Of course this philosophy also translated into some savings as well. That being said, leading up to Christmas I will post several home made gift ideas with instructions and how-tos.

Gifts In A Jar

Gifts in a jar are always fun. You can get very creative in the presentation and make it very personal to the recipient. And of course they are extremely useful.

I actually recently prepared one that I received that was sitting in my cabinet and adored it!

Rainbow Bean Soup In A Jar

Ingredients:
3/4 cup dried red beans
3/4 cup dried great northern beans
3/4 cup dried split peas
3/4 cup lentils
3/4 cup dried black beans
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules (sold in soup section)
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons sweetened lemonade drink mix
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions
1. Lookfor red lentils or yellow split peas for a real rainbow of colors in this mix, if you can't find use regular brown lentils or pick a colorful dried bean of your choice for this layer.
2. Mix and place in a thin zipper sandwich bag.
3. Use a Quart Jar that has a wide mouth,but if you can't find one you can use a regular Quart jar.
4. Place each type of bean in jar in order listed above. Try to "settle" the beans by wiggling the jar around so that each layer is flat.
5. Put a lid on the jar and close tightly.
6. Decorate the jar.
7. Affix with ribbon, string, etc. the seasoning bag.
8. Either use a peel and stick label to attach the recipe, or affix the recipe card to the jar itself using the ribbon.

What to put on recipe card:

RAINBOW BEAN SOUP
Additional ingredients needed: Water, 1 can crushed tomatos

Remove seasoning packet. Set aside. Rinse beans place beans in larg microsafe dish. Cover with water 1" to 2" over top of beans. Cover dish loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 15 minutes, rotating after 7 minutes. Drain and rinse beans very well. Place beans in very larg pan. Add 8 cups water and 1 can crushed tomatos and seasonings from packet. Cover, bring to boil.
Lower heat, cover pan and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. STIR OCCASIONALLY.

I also like to personalize the gift with a serving suggestion. Handwrite in to make it special. Something like "Mac and I really enjoyed this with a dollop of sour cream mixed in to each bowl! Hope you and Henry enjoy this on a cold winter night!"

For more ideas for gifts "in a jar", visit www.recipezaar.com and just type in "in a jar" in the search field.

Here are some other tips that I'd like to provide:

As much as people like sweets, I've been tending to stay clear of them as gifts lately. You never know who is dieting or watching their weight. Soups and dips are great ideas.
If you want to "enhance" the gift, why not add another item to the gift? Giving a soup mix? Add on some cute soup spoons. Brownie mix? Add a small wisk. Cookie mix? Add a cookie cutter. Or include a nice bottle of wine to go with it.
Keep the recipient in mind when you are selecting which item to give and the ingredients. Obviously if the recipient is a vegetarian, don't use anything that even remotely resembles meat (ie, leave out the beef boullion - use veggie boullion instead!). If the recipient is lactose intolerant, make sure your recipe doesn't call for milk or cream to be added.

Black Friday Shopping Strategies

2008-11-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

I love shopping. I love the thrill of shopping, the hustle and bustle and overall just looking at STUFF!

Of course, shopping and being frugal don't always go hand in hand.

That said, I know that Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is one of (if not THE) biggest shopping days of the year. Every year I get up super early (and generally do minimal grooming - aren't you glad you know that) and head out with the early crowds to get the best deals.

Over the years, I have found certain tips and strategies that I would like to point out when it comes to saving money and getting the biggest bang for your buck!

Make a List. That means you need to plan ahead. Never, ever, ever venture out there thinking "I wonder what I'll find." That would be the perfect way to fall victim to advertising schemes galore (as well as end up in the longest lines ever). Kind of like Santa, you need to make a list (and check it twice). Write down all of the people you need to shop for AND have an idea of two things: What you want to buy and what you're willing to spend. Even if you only have one or the other, it is a good start.

Do Your Due Dilligence. After you make a list, then go ahead and start looking online or in stores to see how much something is going to cost. Actually, this is probably better to do a couple of weeks in advance, but as long as you do it before you even look at Black Friday ads you should be good. You need to have a general idea of the regular retail value of the item.

Research your BF Ads. Even before you get the paper on Turkey Day to check out those lovely little inserts, you can look online for the deals. Sites like BFads.net have scanned versions of the ad available to glance over ahead of time. And of course, on Thanksgiving itself, go out and get your paper! The small change it takes to purchase the paper is worth it. Now, I know that you can get a lot of this stuff online now, but for some reason I still feel those paper inserts are better to work from.

Know the Deal. Look for deals on the items you have on your wish list. If there is something that you are thinking about getting, circle it or flag it and move on.

Don't Fall for "Bargains". Sometimes the bargains you find on Black Friday are just too good to pass up, or so they seem. Don't fall into the trap of "well it's only $10 for a toaster - I'm sure that would make a good gift for SOMEONE." That's a sure fire way to spend more than you wanted to and end up without the gifts you want to give. And then you'll spend extra time trying to figure which second aunt thrice removed wants a toaster. Unless someone on your list wants a toaster. Then by all means, get a toaster. Disclaimer: I have no hate for toasters. They just happened to be my widget of choice for this example.

Make a Game Plan. After you've looked through all of the ads and figured out what you need to get, make your game plan for the am/day. Of course plan to hit any stores that have doorbuster items as soon as possible. Be prepared to wait in line though, and also be prepared to not get something in lieu of something better. For example, if you want to save $10 off of a memory card at Best Buy but also really want to save $50 on a comfortor elsewhere, both of which you must get by 10 am, be prepared to sacrifice perhaps the lower savings for the greater savings. Keep in mind that lines are very long at some places (especially Best Buy, Toys R Us, Target) so you should account for that in your game plan. Try to map out your shopping to maximize your time and increase efficiency.
Double Team It. If you can go with someone else, you may end up saving more. Being able to "divide and conquer" will definitely save you time. Someone can stand in line while the other grabs what needs to be bought. I know this sounds like a war time strategy, but time is precious and deals are sometimes scarce.
Don't Buy Into It. Sometimes stores will post very misleading signs to catch the unsavvy shopper. They'll bost "Only $29.99 Now - Regularly $59.99". This is where the prep comes in handy. Sometimes stores will post these signs and prices, even though they pretty much always have the item on sale close to that price.
Time is Precious. Never discount the fact that your time is a precious commodity. Don't stand in line for two hours to save $5. Yes, your pocket book won't have as big of a dent, but your time is important too! I always try to figure out the break even point if there is a long line...with the breaking point being at least minimum wage. If I have to stand in line for an hour, I better be saving more than one hour's worth of minimum wage work.
Have Fun. Don't forget to have fun. Make a treat of it! Some places even hand out coffee and snacks to early shoppers, so make sure you treat yourself. Don't forget that it is the holiday season - and at the heart of the season isn't the gifts, it is the fun, family, and friends that you hold dear!

How to BUY things on Ebay

2008-11-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

I always see cool posts with tips and tricks on selling things on Ebay, but I rarely see anything on how to BUY on Ebay.

I've been selling and buying on Ebay for years. I'd like to think of myself as an early adopter of Ebay - using it before it became mainstream and as big as it is.

Having bought on Ebay for several years, I've noticed one huge issue with Ebay: It is becoming harder and harder to find good deals on Ebay. When I first started out, pretty much anything that was traded on Ebay usually ended up being a good deal. Things were often bought well below the retail value of the item.

But now, due to the traffic on Ebay and also due to many people trying to "exploit" Ebay to earn money, it seems much harder to purchase things on Ebay at reasonable costs. In this topic I'm going to delve into how to use Ebay to make frugal purchases.

Saving Money With Ebay Purchases:

1. Always comparison shop! Before you even begin to look at Ebay, I strongly suggest that you evaluate the actual retail cost of getting the item elsewhere. Visit places like Amazon.com or other online outlets and check out the going rate for these items. Know what the item is really going for. I think this is imperitive because I've seen Ebay sellers make statements that are misleading, like "Suggested Retail Value: $200!" and then try to get $150 for the item, only to see that a local store has the same item on sale for $130.

2. Know Your Limit (And Stick To it). Before searching for an item, also know what your absolute highest limit is to pay for an item. Make sure to include in your limit price any shipping and handling fees associated with it. Even if you don't put your limit as the highest you're willing to go on the auction bid, make sure you mentally know where you are going to stop. Nearing the end of one auction, I made the mistake of getting caught up in the bidding process. I started wanting to win the item and outbid the other person, that I ended up paying more than I wanted to (and also more than I should have).

3. Be Careful of Shipping. Always check out the shipping cost of the item and factor that into the price. Yes, that $.99 table and chair set looks appealing, but did you also notice the $600 shipping and handling fee?

4. Read the Fine Print. Read the entire auction details. Some will mislead you with the information. For example, I recently looked for a bottle of Estee Lauder perfume on Ebay. Frequently I saw the picture of a full size bottle, under the listing title that says "Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise Perfume!" for only $9.99 including shipping. Many inexperienced buyers may think that's a steal - but when you look at the print in the description it says that you're bidding on a small sample size. You could probably get that for free at a counter yourself.

5. Don't Get Caught Up on Things You Don't Need. It is easy to get caught up on Ebay. I for one have been suckered into nostalgia items ("Wow! A mint in package She-Ra doll???? Let me bid on that now!"). Or I've also been caught up on great deals ("Only $2 for a set of dishes? I can't pass that up, right?"). Even if it is a good deal, if you don't need it, then any money spent towards it is a waste.

6. Pay With PayPal. This may be controversial to some. I know that for many who are afraid of internet fraud or ID theft that making monetary transactions online is scary. But I can tell you from experience that PayPal is the way to go when paying. Unfortunately, not all sellers are good people. Though I've been Ebaying for year, I had my first "issue" with Ebay recently. I bought some shirts from a seller for my brother on Ebay. I paid with PayPal and assumed the transaction would be completed. The shirts never came. I contacted the seller several times and got no response. So I filed a complaint with PayPal explaining the transaction and then after doing their own due dilligence, they refunded my money. Had I paid with a cashier's check, personal check or money order - I'd be SOL or up a creek without a paddle.

Ready, Set, Save!

2008-11-19T05:54:00.000-08:00

So this is my first official blog for my Frugal Fairy site. I thought that to kick it off I'd just share my reasoning behind WHY I started the site.

For most of my life I have been frugal. Sure, there were years as a child where I didn't know the value of money. But for the most part, I have been very conscious of how I spend my money.

To give credit where credit is due, it started with my parents. I would get a modest allowance for doing housework (teaching me that I had to do something to get money). I would save all of my earnings in the United Federal Bank of Mom (which unfortunately didn't earn any interest - I think I'll have to talk to her about that). When we'd go to a store and I'd see something that I wanted to spend my money on, I would look up at my mom with puppy dog eyes and say "Mom, can I get that Super Pretty in Pink Veterinarian Barbie?" This would lead my mother to respond with one simple comment: "It's Your Money." Of course, even though the words were simple, the undertones were always the same: "It's your money - but I really wouldn't waste money on that if I were you. You don't need it."

So being the goody-goody child that I was, I'd generally put it back (unless I really really REALLY wanted it) and then save up for something bigger and better.

I learned a great deal about dollar stretching and getting creative from my childhood as well. My parents had me at a young age and at a point in their life where they were just getting started with their lives together. That meant that while the love was definitely flowing in our family, cash was not. And for my family, being as wonderful as they are, that never meant I had to go without. It just meant that we had to be creative about things.

Instead of going out and buying packs of Barbie clothes, my Barbie had Barbie coutoure...my grandma and my mom would sew and crochet original pieces for my dolls!! My mom would bring back leftover worksheets, work books, text books and more from school (she is a teacher), which would bring me endless hours of fun playing school. My dad would bring home goodies from his work with a food systems company (I got a bunch of promotional Pound Puppies once and thought I'd hit the motherload!). I remember using a cardboard box, crayons and markers, and scissors to make a Barbie house and a My Little Pony stable. We had an entire box of markers, crayons, etc that I would use to make little arts and crafts projects with and create my own paper dolls and such.

Anyway - as I got older and got my own job and money, I've kept that same philosophy. Just because I don't have money for something, it doesn't limit me. I just have to be creative about it. This means that yes, sometimes I have to be flexible. I have to make concessions. I cut back on things that I don't care about to enjoy things I do care about.

Over the years I've created certain shopping habits and rituals that have saved me large amounts of money but have given me even more satisfaction. I've learned how to make do with some things, create my own fun, and really enjoy my lifestyle.

And as I've done this, I've continually shared with others my savings and creative ideas. My friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers are constantly suprised with my findings and at least "seem" to love suggestions that I provide on saving strategies.

And I do love to write. So I figured this blog would be perfect for that outlet. I'll share tips, tricks, and stories about saving, being frugal, and being "crafty". Sit back and enjoy!

Oh - And of course I tied it in with another "love" in my life - fairies. I've loved fairies for a long time now. They are fanciful and fun and always make me feel like a creative kid.

If you have any suggestions, ideas, or questions for me, please feel free to comment or email me at gamecockjen@yahoo.com.