Frugal Living: Vintage Inspired Kids T-Shirts on a Budget

Ironically - I was in the process of saving some money by making my own shrinky dink necklace pendants (I'll share soon) when I came across these awesome vintage inspired free iron-on transfers from HP. 

I frequently save money by making my own iron-on kids shirts...but these are above and beyond anything I've ever created on my own.

Here's a sample...and here's the link.  Enjoy!

PS - Wouldn't these make great Christmas gifts? 

Debbie Meyer’s Green Bags - A Review of an "As Seen on TV" that Really Works

For me, "As Seen on TV" ads are like a bad car crash.  I know I shouldn't look..I really don't want to look...but I look anyway, and can't turn away.

I'll admit...I've actually been convinced a few times that the stuff they are peddling works.  I recently bought that foot file shaped like an egg after watching a recent infomercial.  Did it work?  Yes.  Was it worth $10.00 + shipping?  Probably not.

I had a retail therapy moment the other day when I was bored at our local Walgreens and decided to try the green bags that were taunting me from the check-out aisle.   As the checker scanned my items she squeeled like I'd just purchased a cute pair of shoes, "oh I love those - they are fantastic".  

I headed home and excitedly bagged up my bananas, apples, & grapes.  A week later...everything looks fresh and there is this cool little "gassy film" on the bag.  (I am sure that's the technical term). 

Even better, I love to buy bananas at Costco but they only seem to last a day or two (I am hoping it is because they use less preservatives than grocery store fruit).  So far, my little banana bag has lasted a week...much to the dismay of my hubbie who loves banana bread. 

So...just a quick post to let you know that the Green Bags work.  I have a feeling they will save me lots of money...and a few extra trips to Costco.

12 Essential Rules to Live More Like a Zen Monk

I just stumbled upon this article and thought I would share it.  Chances are, you've never sought advice about parenting & motherhood from a Zen Monk.   Continue reading this article to find out why you should....

I’m not a Zen monk, nor will I ever become one. However, I find great inspiration in the way they try to live their lives: the simplicity of their lives, the concentration and mindfulness of every activity, the calm and peace they find in their days.

read more | digg story

Do you Freecycle?

If not, you should. 

I heard about Freecycle.com about a year ago and assumed it was a glorified garage sale "free box".  You know what I am talking about.  The box filled with crap like stuffed animals and broken Happy Meal toys that no one wants....

Boy was I wrong.   A friend reminded me of Freecycle the other day.  He loves to cook and wanted to purchase a pressure cooker but couldn't afford it.  He joined Freecycle and posted a message..."Wanted: Pressure Cooker" - within two days he was trying out his brand new (to him) pressure cooker recipes.

I wasn't completely sold, but joined anyway.  I am trying to downsize a bit so I figured I could at least use it to declutter a bit.  

Part of my downsizing plan means getting rid of the gym membership so I posted...."Wanted:treadmill"..."If it is collecting dust at your place, let it collect dust at mine instead". =)   

Within 24 hours, three people responded.  This morning...instead of driving to the gym, I ran for 20 minutes on my new (to me at least)...and surprisingly nice treadmill.

This weekend someone was giving away a trampoline....

This morning, someone was giving away a plethora of baby items including a crib, bassinet and car seat. 

Tonight...I am going to give away a computer monitor, keyboard, kids' games and mouse. 

It is an absolute blast.  I love reading the posts.  I am anxious to grant wishes...and I am really excited to share my pile of pre-pregnancy jeans with someone who may actually be able to squeeze into them!

Click here to get started....

A Mom Finds A Few Clever Ways to Save Money

It seems like saving money is all the rage lately...chances are, you'll enjoy this cute clip from Lifetime

Use Your Freezer to Save Money on Groceries

I spent part of yesterday at Costco and left with sticker shock - and LOTS of milk.  =) 

When the price of milk started to rise (dramatically) I begin looking for ways to save money on our grocery bill.  The price of milk at our local Costco store is usually half the price at our local grocery store.  Therefore, I did a little research on freezing milk and learned that it is possible, simple and it does not harm the quality of the milk. 

Since the prices of nearly everything else are rising as well, I thought about ways to buy additional items in bulk and freeze them (like cheeses, breads, eggs, etc..)

Here are a few useful links I discovered in my search.

• USDA - Food Safety and Freezing
• How to Freeze Food and Save Money
• 30 Day Cafe - Once a Month Cooking (Freezer Cooking Guide)
• A Guide to Freezing Cheese
• Refrigerator & Freezer Storage Guide
• Freezing Vegetables

Hopefully they will help you make a dent in your rising grocery bill as well.

Once a Month Cooking Video Tutorials

This weekend my husband and I spent nearly $300 at Costco stocking up on items like cheese, milk, butter, eggs and cereal. Perhaps you noticed the cost of these items skyrocketing too?

When I didn't have two preschoolers underfoot I spent one weekend each month preparing a months' worth of meals. While the cooking day wasn't exactly fun (unless you *really* like cooking) I saved a tremendous amount of money and I loved having healthy "fast food" to serve each evening.

As a result of the recent jump in grocery prices, I am revisiting once a month cooking (or freezer cooking) as a way to save money on our families' grocery bill.

Since I am "polishing up" myself, I thought I would share some resources with you...

20 Extraordinary Uses for Old Pantyhose

I don't think I've worn pantyhose since I left my job in 2002.  (I prefer skirts, tall black boots and sweat socks now).  =)  Oddly enough, I still have piles of pantyhose cluttering up my drawers.  Check out this article that offers some fantastic uses for the dreaded pantyhose. 

When your pantyhose have runs and tears in them, don't throw them away. Someone somewhere will have a use for them. Here are twenty useful ways to recycle them.

1. Cut the legs off and use to keep all those odd bits of soap that tend to get left in the bathroom. Tie the end and keep it beside the sink for hand washing.
2. Put mothballs into a leg and tie it to the rail in your closet
3. Fill a leg with lavender and use to scent your closet

Continue reading.

Technorati Tags: homemaking , cleaning , crafts , pantyhose , recycle , recycling , recycling pantyhose

Website Review: Coupon Chief - Coupon Codes Galore!

I was making breakfast for my kids this morning when I could hear them yelling from the other room.  Every ten minutes or so, the mantra began...."Mommy - I want that".  "Ohhhh...I want that too".   "Mommy - tell Santa about this, okay?" 

Is it just me, or does the Holiday shopping season (and subsequent beg-fest) seem to be creeping up on us earlier and earlier each year? 

Even though I procrastinated a bit last year I am vowing to get my holiday shopping done a month early so I can actually enjoy the season without worrying about what I will be spending, buying, etc...

One of my big shopping pet peeves is seeing the prompt "enter coupon code here". Um...WHAT?   I refuse to pay full-price for something and I go crazy when I miss a good deal.  Then the frenzied code search commences....

Thankfully, I was reminded of a website (Coupon Chief) that I used last year.  The site lists coupon codes for many of the most popular online retailers.

Here are a few of the great deals I've found so far....

• Target Deals: $5.00 off of $50.00 Purchase
• Overstock Coupons: Free Shipping for new customers (over $50.00)
• Gap Coupons- Free Shipping for Silver Card Holders
• EBags Deals - Free Shipping and 10% off orders of $35.00 or more

Do you have a favorite deal or store?  Share it in the comments section.

Website Review: Black Friday Deals

Have you heard the term "Black Friday" yet?  It refers to the day after Thanksgiving when most major retailers launch huge specials to kick-off the Holiday shopping season.

Pardon the pun, but I avoid Black Friday like the plague.  =) My blood pressure rises just thinking about standing in line with a bunch of sleep-deprived, frenzied women who are preparing to slug it out for the "hot toy" of the season. 

I prefer shopping on my recliner with a hot cup of cocoa and my children's wish lists sitting next to me.  I may miss out on a few deals, but I don't mind paying a bit more for a more relaxing holiday season.

This morning, I found a website that will allow me to avoid the lines and stress of Black Friday shopping while still enjoying the deals. 

Check out Black-Friday.net.   The site features ads for many of the major retailers before they are released to the public.  The site allows people to purchase the Black Friday deals without needing to stand in line at 5am.  Woo hoo! 

For those of you who love to plan ahead, visit the site and request e-mail alerts from your favorite retailers.  The site will notify you via e-mail  when the black friday ads have been released from that store.

Here is a sneak peak at Ace Hardware's Black Friday Deals. 

Check it out and share your review of the site in the comments section.