After living in 3 of my own homes and 6 or 7 of my mother I have decided that the out in the middle of the hallway linen closet doesn't work. The ones in the bathroom also make little to no sense. I want to try one in the laundry room.
I prefer electric ranges over gas, but gas ovens over electric. I don't like the seperate range and oven though. No idea how to solve this one.
I want a home with a summer kitchen. My brother bought a house like this the second kitchen is downstairs. Its an old farm house. I love it but I don't think they use it.
I want a pergola in my dream back yard with a crap load of flowers. Peonies, tulips, daffadils, marigolds, sunflowers, roses, asters, daisies, etc. I want a willow tree too, but they can be hard to manage. Fruit trees maybe.
I want 3 bathrooms in my home: girls, boys, and guest.
I want a house with character but not falling down. I want a porch not a deck. I have a house with a deck. I want wind chimes. A lot of them.
I want a pantry and an office, a laundry shoot.
I just really want to move.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
A broken mower, a gym membership and a trip out of town
What do these all have in common? Well they are all a drain on my budget. Which I haven't consulted in the last 5 days. It was becoming a crutch so I tossed it. It felt good. BUT now the dred comes back.
First the mower will have to be fixed or a suitable alternative will have to be arranged. I think I will look for a push mower as soon as I get home. I have gone through 2 in 3 years. I will pay around 50 for it.
Then the gym membership will have to go in the last 4 months he has not gone to it anyway. First there was enough time, then he didn't feel like it, and now says it is because he doesn't have the "right" clothes. I am officially done.
Finally I will have to live with my decision from this trip for the next 2 months fortunately part of the spending is for school clothes so that isn't so bad.
Ever wonder how we get to a place in time?
Friday, June 18, 2010
What a frugal family does on vacation
1. Drive to a location within 8 hours of their home.
2. Stays with friends or relatives or camps out.
3. Visit free admission attractions,( ie local parks, museums, neighborhood pools.)
4. Brings food for the drive there and anytime we eat away from the place we are staying.
5. Takes a lot of digital pictures.
6. Has a budget.
7. Saves for the journey.
8. Enjoys each others company.
9. Checks out local attractions and has a plan.
10. Goes only once a year.
Friday, June 11, 2010
How our summer shirts become rugs.
Does your family have a summer uniform. An outfit totally thrifty that they wear everyday during the summer. Maybe they wouldn't get caught dead in it during the rest of the year?
Hubby: jeans and black or dark blue t-shirts (He wears his all of the time.)
Me: Capris/shorts or white t-shirt
Girl: cut off shorts and t shirts
Boy: cut off shorts and t shirts
Hubby and I get shirts from discount stores. The kids get shirts from TS and discount stores. We try to keep the cost of shirts down to under a $1 each. If they become stained, they become nightwear or they get dyed. I just bought an orange dye at the discount grocery store for .99. I get black there on a regular basis.
I figure at $.99 a box the average box of dye resurrects about 5 shirts. The hubby wears his shirts forever because black doesn't stain and any fading gets dyed black again.
After that they are rags or rugs. I have a rag rug in my bathroom. I cut t shirts into strips and crochet with a rug hook. The rest of the t shirt is used to clean. I use these for anything I used to use paper towels for: washing the car, cleaning the sink, cleaning the bath, wiping up messes.
Hubby: jeans and black or dark blue t-shirts (He wears his all of the time.)
Me: Capris/shorts or white t-shirt
Girl: cut off shorts and t shirts
Boy: cut off shorts and t shirts
Hubby and I get shirts from discount stores. The kids get shirts from TS and discount stores. We try to keep the cost of shirts down to under a $1 each. If they become stained, they become nightwear or they get dyed. I just bought an orange dye at the discount grocery store for .99. I get black there on a regular basis.
I figure at $.99 a box the average box of dye resurrects about 5 shirts. The hubby wears his shirts forever because black doesn't stain and any fading gets dyed black again.
After that they are rags or rugs. I have a rag rug in my bathroom. I cut t shirts into strips and crochet with a rug hook. The rest of the t shirt is used to clean. I use these for anything I used to use paper towels for: washing the car, cleaning the sink, cleaning the bath, wiping up messes.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Food Pantry
First of all, I can not get food stamps. I receive rent from my house (that I can't live in) and that means that my unearned income is more than the maxium. While our wages were well under limits. found this out when hubs got cellulitis and almost lost his leg.
So take a moment and imagine that. I work a part time job, he is let go from his job, no medical insurance, very little money and my mom saying we can always move back with her. He ends up in the hospital and almost loses his leg. He can't get unemployment and the job he was working at couldn't be saved that long for him. Do you have heart palpitations yet?
Ok back to reality. The young woman who said "Sorry we can't give you benefits at this time." also gave me a handful of brochures and in them was information about Angelfood ministries and the various food pantries available in my area. At the time I just used the information for Angelfood, being the proud idiot that I am, and with the garden producing and family tossing in meat. We got through the next 6 months.
You see I was embarrassed to admit that I needed the food pantry, plus only poor people do that right? In December of 2007 it got really bad, we had nothing and couldn't get help. Plus after 4 months of unemployed hubby, we were just trying to get ahead. We had a broken down Van and instead of fixing it we bought a falling apart car because it was cheaper. One night right before Christmas we went grocery shopping with our $25. We had nothing and it was getting worse. We came home to find a basket of gifts and a Christmas card with a $100 gift card in it. At this point we knew we were going to fail if we didn't get more help. The next week we went to the food pantry.
In the last 2 1/2 years we have gone on and off. We go if we need the help and don't if we don't. Each time we go we get 3 vegetables, 3 fruit, 4 meat, 2 bread, 2 cereal, crackers, 2 soup. It won't make me rich and we always use it.
They also give things as a special. Candy at Easter and Christmas. Ham or Turkey for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Produce in the summer. In the fall we can get gloves and hats for winter.
What I found out is that every one at the food pantry has the same story I do. The majority work, some are disabled and don't get benefits. It makes it easier.
Last month we received pasta, spagetti sauce, 2 cans of tuna, noodles, chicken noodle soup, corn, green bean, chick peas, peanut butter, hamburger helper, 2 boxs of cereal, 2 loaves of bread, tomato soup, cheese crackers, juice, eggs, 3 lbs hamburger, cookies, and dry and shelf stable milk. All in all it probably would have cost around $50.
So take a moment and imagine that. I work a part time job, he is let go from his job, no medical insurance, very little money and my mom saying we can always move back with her. He ends up in the hospital and almost loses his leg. He can't get unemployment and the job he was working at couldn't be saved that long for him. Do you have heart palpitations yet?
Ok back to reality. The young woman who said "Sorry we can't give you benefits at this time." also gave me a handful of brochures and in them was information about Angelfood ministries and the various food pantries available in my area. At the time I just used the information for Angelfood, being the proud idiot that I am, and with the garden producing and family tossing in meat. We got through the next 6 months.
You see I was embarrassed to admit that I needed the food pantry, plus only poor people do that right? In December of 2007 it got really bad, we had nothing and couldn't get help. Plus after 4 months of unemployed hubby, we were just trying to get ahead. We had a broken down Van and instead of fixing it we bought a falling apart car because it was cheaper. One night right before Christmas we went grocery shopping with our $25. We had nothing and it was getting worse. We came home to find a basket of gifts and a Christmas card with a $100 gift card in it. At this point we knew we were going to fail if we didn't get more help. The next week we went to the food pantry.
In the last 2 1/2 years we have gone on and off. We go if we need the help and don't if we don't. Each time we go we get 3 vegetables, 3 fruit, 4 meat, 2 bread, 2 cereal, crackers, 2 soup. It won't make me rich and we always use it.
They also give things as a special. Candy at Easter and Christmas. Ham or Turkey for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Produce in the summer. In the fall we can get gloves and hats for winter.
What I found out is that every one at the food pantry has the same story I do. The majority work, some are disabled and don't get benefits. It makes it easier.
Last month we received pasta, spagetti sauce, 2 cans of tuna, noodles, chicken noodle soup, corn, green bean, chick peas, peanut butter, hamburger helper, 2 boxs of cereal, 2 loaves of bread, tomato soup, cheese crackers, juice, eggs, 3 lbs hamburger, cookies, and dry and shelf stable milk. All in all it probably would have cost around $50.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Yes I shop at the Scratch and Dent Store
About once a month I shop at a discount grocery store. At this store you will find the following: fresh deli meats and cheeses, canned vegetables with a "older" label, test products, and products from stores that have closed. These products have been marked down at a significant level.
"Have you ever seen/purchased a product that was expired?" Yes, I have seen and yes I have purchased some products that were within a month of the expiration date. I am perfectly fine and so are my family members and pets.
" Are you afraid something will be damaged and you will lose money?" No, I have the opportunity to look at the product in the store. In the 10 year I have been shopping there I have only throw away one canned item that appeared to be leaking. At the time I was sure if it was really leaking or if the liquid on the outside of the can was from a broken bottle of dressing. So either way I think I won out.
"Does this really save you a lot?" Yes, I look at it in the whole. Each time I go I pay $50 for $80 worth of food. I do take a "list" of things I am out of and looking for. There can be a big savings. I like rice wine vinegar. At a typical store it is $2-3, at the Scratch and Dent it is .50. And no it is not expired.
Really the majority of the products are actually not expired. They are an older version of the packaging, a special item (like peanut butter and banana creme Reese cups), Easter candy in June.
This is just a strategy for filling in the gaps of the food pantry, Aldi and Sav A lot shopping lists.
A
"Have you ever seen/purchased a product that was expired?" Yes, I have seen and yes I have purchased some products that were within a month of the expiration date. I am perfectly fine and so are my family members and pets.
" Are you afraid something will be damaged and you will lose money?" No, I have the opportunity to look at the product in the store. In the 10 year I have been shopping there I have only throw away one canned item that appeared to be leaking. At the time I was sure if it was really leaking or if the liquid on the outside of the can was from a broken bottle of dressing. So either way I think I won out.
"Does this really save you a lot?" Yes, I look at it in the whole. Each time I go I pay $50 for $80 worth of food. I do take a "list" of things I am out of and looking for. There can be a big savings. I like rice wine vinegar. At a typical store it is $2-3, at the Scratch and Dent it is .50. And no it is not expired.
Really the majority of the products are actually not expired. They are an older version of the packaging, a special item (like peanut butter and banana creme Reese cups), Easter candy in June.
This is just a strategy for filling in the gaps of the food pantry, Aldi and Sav A lot shopping lists.
A
Birkenstock: Why I wear the ugliest shoes
For the last 8 years I have worn Birkenstocks. I admit it they are kind of ugly but I could not live without them.
First as a 12 year old girl I broke my ankle and it healed weird. Because of that I have one flat and one "normal" foot. As a teen I wore an insert in my shoe. It wasn't very comfortable. I lost it severla times and needed to replace it 4-5 times. each time we replaced it we paid $200.
At some point it became my responsibility to buy it and I didn't want to, so I didn't. Fast forward 7 years and I start having back pain and cramping in my left foot. Guess what? It was my flat foot screaming out in pain. The doctor told me I had to stop wearing heels and go back to the insert or wear a brace.
As I was deep in an emotional abyss without my beautiful shoes, a cowork atarted wearing these funny looking shoes. You see she had a meesed up disk in her back and her doctor suggested Birkenstocks. They weren't cute but within about 3 months she stopped walking like a hunchback.
So I thought what then heck. I am happy to say that I walk perfectly upright and pain isn't an issue anymore. I have 4 pairs of birks and have only retired one pair. I have purchased them for as little as 3.99 (New at a Thrift Store) - 68 (new on eBay.) Only one pair (the retired pair) didn't work for me. They caused a blister on the arch of my "normal" foot.
So all in all I feel like I am ahead. I don't use as much pain medication and no inserts.
First as a 12 year old girl I broke my ankle and it healed weird. Because of that I have one flat and one "normal" foot. As a teen I wore an insert in my shoe. It wasn't very comfortable. I lost it severla times and needed to replace it 4-5 times. each time we replaced it we paid $200.
At some point it became my responsibility to buy it and I didn't want to, so I didn't. Fast forward 7 years and I start having back pain and cramping in my left foot. Guess what? It was my flat foot screaming out in pain. The doctor told me I had to stop wearing heels and go back to the insert or wear a brace.
As I was deep in an emotional abyss without my beautiful shoes, a cowork atarted wearing these funny looking shoes. You see she had a meesed up disk in her back and her doctor suggested Birkenstocks. They weren't cute but within about 3 months she stopped walking like a hunchback.
So I thought what then heck. I am happy to say that I walk perfectly upright and pain isn't an issue anymore. I have 4 pairs of birks and have only retired one pair. I have purchased them for as little as 3.99 (New at a Thrift Store) - 68 (new on eBay.) Only one pair (the retired pair) didn't work for me. They caused a blister on the arch of my "normal" foot.
So all in all I feel like I am ahead. I don't use as much pain medication and no inserts.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The strangeness of strangers.
They aren't really strangers. They are neighbors that are strangers. Yeah we know who they are. Hubs even graduated from high schol with the wife (and is a facebook friend.) I haven't spoken to them at all during the 3 years we have lived here. The one time he spoke to the neighbor wife, we were trying to figure out where the neighbor son hid my son's glasses. He is a bully. So I told both kids to avoid him.
Meanwhile back at the ranch. Neighbor hubby mows their lawn at least once if not twice a week. They kennel 2 dogs in the same kennel at the same time, while they monitor my dogs water and call the humane society. They have a garden I am jealous of. I mean mouthwatering. Their yard is to die for and of course they do not live in a hovel.
Meanwhile back at the ranch. Neighbor hubby mows their lawn at least once if not twice a week. They kennel 2 dogs in the same kennel at the same time, while they monitor my dogs water and call the humane society. They have a garden I am jealous of. I mean mouthwatering. Their yard is to die for and of course they do not live in a hovel.
Why I haven't purchased a pair of jeans in 5 years.
First of all I have to tell you about my sister. She is the type of consumer that likes what she likes. She likes a specific product in a color and size she can wear. She only buys jeans at one store and has worn the same size for 3 years. Luckily when she lost weight I didn't for six months after. She also likes them in a medium color. Black is bad. Light color is equally bad. However every once in a while she buys both wear them once and gives them immediately to me.
Now that being said (or written,) she also likes them to feel a certain way. Not stiff, not loose. When they don't feel right or if heaven forbid she tries a different color, style or size. I get them.
Now I used to actually go to the store and get them. They are $40 pairs of jeans. I bought on sale or put them on my store card (when I had one) and got points to buy more clothes. Problem was I never really needed all those clothes (more on that later.) So when she started giving these to me I saw it as devine intervention and accepted. Last time I looked she had given me 14 pairs in 5 years.
The first thing I do is check the inseam for wear and zig zag stitch to reinforce them. As time passes and I get a split I patch it quickly. I also employ the 3 Theory introduced by Amy Dacyczyn in The Tightwad Gazette. The oldest (2) pair gets used for yard work. The middle gets used on a daily basis, and the unpatched gets used to go out.
I also have used 4 pairs as a basis of a quilt for my son. I gave 2 pair to my cousin who is our size. I have 4 pair I wear and 3 pair are in a box to use in the future. 2 pair are long gone I made a few hot pads and I think a draft dog with them. I also expect her to give me more in the fall.
All of this for excepting a gift of recycled clothes.
A
Now that being said (or written,) she also likes them to feel a certain way. Not stiff, not loose. When they don't feel right or if heaven forbid she tries a different color, style or size. I get them.
Now I used to actually go to the store and get them. They are $40 pairs of jeans. I bought on sale or put them on my store card (when I had one) and got points to buy more clothes. Problem was I never really needed all those clothes (more on that later.) So when she started giving these to me I saw it as devine intervention and accepted. Last time I looked she had given me 14 pairs in 5 years.
The first thing I do is check the inseam for wear and zig zag stitch to reinforce them. As time passes and I get a split I patch it quickly. I also employ the 3 Theory introduced by Amy Dacyczyn in The Tightwad Gazette. The oldest (2) pair gets used for yard work. The middle gets used on a daily basis, and the unpatched gets used to go out.
I also have used 4 pairs as a basis of a quilt for my son. I gave 2 pair to my cousin who is our size. I have 4 pair I wear and 3 pair are in a box to use in the future. 2 pair are long gone I made a few hot pads and I think a draft dog with them. I also expect her to give me more in the fall.
All of this for excepting a gift of recycled clothes.
A
There isn't going to be a FAIL here.
I really don't like my in-laws. No that isn't right, I'm just not that close to them. Wow, where did that come from.
I have been married to their son/brother for a few months short of 14 years. Ten of those years I lived 250 miles away and we saw them well about 5-6 times a year. I gave birth to their first grandchildren. We supported ourselves (for the most part) and bought a house. We made friends and developed a self. You know what a self is. Lets say you have 2 friends Dave and his wife Jen and after a while they become DaveandJen. That's a self.
Well this whole time I felt like they were just waiting for us to fail. WAIT. What I should say is that they were waiting for him to fail. And for a while it really looked like he was. I mean he has a weight issue. Or a food issue. He also didn't what to work in the high paying shop job anymore, so we had to reduce, reduce, and when we got on our feet reduce again. Now we are reducing a fourth time to move out of the hovel. And this whole time it feels like they are just waiting for the final FAIL.
Well good luck to them because it 'ain't' going to happen. I don't know how to fail and guess what neither does my husband. Your son might have, but my husband doesn't.
I have been married to their son/brother for a few months short of 14 years. Ten of those years I lived 250 miles away and we saw them well about 5-6 times a year. I gave birth to their first grandchildren. We supported ourselves (for the most part) and bought a house. We made friends and developed a self. You know what a self is. Lets say you have 2 friends Dave and his wife Jen and after a while they become DaveandJen. That's a self.
Well this whole time I felt like they were just waiting for us to fail. WAIT. What I should say is that they were waiting for him to fail. And for a while it really looked like he was. I mean he has a weight issue. Or a food issue. He also didn't what to work in the high paying shop job anymore, so we had to reduce, reduce, and when we got on our feet reduce again. Now we are reducing a fourth time to move out of the hovel. And this whole time it feels like they are just waiting for the final FAIL.
Well good luck to them because it 'ain't' going to happen. I don't know how to fail and guess what neither does my husband. Your son might have, but my husband doesn't.
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