Nose to the Frugal Grindstone

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

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

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

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!

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...

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

It pays to be frugal...

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!

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

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

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

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

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.