Receipt Perks

I've noticed a trend lately. Check the back of your receipt when you go to a fast food restaurant. A lot of times, if you'll do a short survey, you'll be able to get a free sandwich or other item. I'm all about finding a deal anywhere I can!  Other receipt perks include coupons on the back of grocery receipts and surveys where you could win cash or store credit. This particular survey took my about 3 minutes to do and I was able to not only get the code to redeem the free sandwich, but sign up to be part of the rewards program where I'll be sent other coupons. It's not that we necessarily go to Arby's a lot, but it'd be nice to have a coupon on hand when we do go!

Coupons!

For a long while I declined to participate in the coupon way of life. After all, I am a store-brand buyer and coupons are always for name brands!  That was until I tried it (thanks to my friend Laura)!  When coupons match up with store sales (and if you go to Publix where they not only double, but accept competitor's coupons AND allow you to stack store and competitor's coupons), you can get some good stuff for very cheap or even free!  For example, I got a huge bottle of Nivea body wash (regular price $6.99) for $0.78! I've gotten two tubes of toothpaste for free and several other items for dirt cheap (and significantly less than even the store brand that I would normally have bought). 

My suggestion: subscribe to a few sites that will do the coupon matching up for you. They do the work and you just run to the store and reap the benefits (that's especially helpful for those of us who do not like to shop)!   

**Notes of caution: don't think that you can or should be like those that are on the Extreme Couponing show. It annoys me to see them take every item off the shelf, thereby not allowing the rest of us to benefit from the same deal they did. I mean, who needs 60+ bottles of mustard, anyway?!    Also, don't buy an item just because you have a coupon. I have thrown away some $3.00 off coupons because I'm not going to just buy an item that I don't need or want. Sure, if I could get it on a very good deal and share it with someone who did need/want it, I'd be MORE than happy to give!  But if it's an $8.00 item and I get $3.00 off...I'm still spending $5.00 I don't really need to spend. Just be your own judge and you'll be in good shape!

Not just for your pearly whites

This is totally new to me. I had never in all of my 28 years heard about putting TOOTHPASTE on your pimple!  But, this is a frugal plan for zapping zits, so I had to share! Here's to clear, minty-fresh skin!

A little cold never hurt anyone!

It was cold this morning!  Spring had shown itself for a few days, but winter was back this morning. As you can see, though, the heat was off. Hats, gloves, and coats can help keep those fuel costs down. This is essential, as gas is at $3.45 right now!  Do I really know how much gas I'm saving by not using the heater?  Nope, but I know how much faster the gauge gets to "E" when I use it frequently. 
**You'll note that the temp gauge is at the hottest setting...that's just to try to fool my brain into thinking it's all warm and toasty ;-) 

Meatless or Less Meat!

Last night, we had a DELICIOUS meal on a budget. We had bought about a 1.25 pound package of ground beef. We'd used 1/3 of the package for something else. So, we took the remainder of the package out of the freezer (admittedly, not much meat). To look at it browning, it was a little sad. However, once we added the beans and seasonings, it was perfect!  Sure, we used to have a VERY meaty chili, but this chili was delicious and the beans were very filling. Finding meatless meals or using less meat or cheese than you normally would is a way to not only be frugal, but healthy!  Substituting beans and eggs for protein even just occasionally can save a bundle in the long run!  **This meal was even more frugal for us because Sam bought the ingredients! That's a good point: sharing the grocery expenses with friends is helpful when possible. Certainly you don't want to invite someone over and ask them to bring stuff, but if they offer: let them!

The Creativity of Others

I bought this book several years ago and found it in the garage yesterday. It's a really great book full of easy, less painful frugal tips! I will not suggest that you go out and buy a book to help you save money...because that's spending money! But, there are TONS of websites that give creative tips on saving money. Everyday I get an e-mail from Stockpiling Moms (okay, so I'm not a mom, but I can still benefit from the deals and couponing strategies)!  There is no reason to re-invent the wheel: use the creativity of others to help you figure out how to stay in (or below) budget!

**An important note is to take each suggestion for what it's worth. Some things work for some people that might not work for you. For example, the ladies above boast about how they look "stylish" in shoes that they've had for fifteen years. If you know me, you'll know that it simply wouldn't work for me not to get new shoes for FIFTEEN years!!**

Discount Grocery

Discount groceries are fantastic!  Whole grain nutty, yummy wheat bread for $0.50?  Yes, please! Amazing brand name cereal (with a slightly dented-in box) for $1.00?  I'm all about that! Find the discount and scratch-and-dent stores in your area. Make sure you stay safe: get things that are sealed and such, but don't be afraid to get the bagels that expire in three days: put them in the freezer and thaw as needed!

You made it black to make it green?

Okay, so my wonderful hubby should probably be writing this post because I don't get it.  Rather than spend money on chemicals or sod, he burned our grass! When he told me the plan, I thought, "he must be really frustrated with our lawn"! But, according to him, our grass is dormant so really he just burned the weeds away, giving the grass the space it will need to grow and spread so that it will be more full. Sounds brilliant to me and certainly saved the money he could have spent on fertilizers, weed killers, and such. This may have to be a two-part post so I can show you in the summer the beautiful green results (hopefully)!

My new favorite card!

When I drive to FL...or really anywhere...I get an audio book to help me stay awake!  For years I have used Cracker Barrel's rental system. This is a frugal experience because rather than purchasing audio books, you can rent them by the week. You pay for the book up front, but when you turn it in you get all but $3.50 back (per week kept). $3.50 is certainly better than $30.00 for an audio book!  HOWEVER...I discovered that the local library also has audiobooks!  One library card ($2) and now I can check out audiobooks for FREE! The library also has numerous other opportunities for frugality: books, internet, movies, etc...  Tap into your local library system: they have so much to offer!

Diligence, not laziness

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. Proverbs 24:33, 34

A prowler...an armed man: these are not things we want and we're powerless to resist them when they set their eyes on us. If we don't work...if we aren't diligent in all that God has called us to do, then we'll find ourselves in the same position: with poverty at our doorstep and needs overwhelming our lives. See, God does and will provide. Time and again, I've seen Him do it in our own lives. But, I truly believe that He will provide as long as we are doing what we are supposed to do, what He has called us to do*, and are doing it to the best of our ability. God's not going to bless our laziness any more than I reward my students for theirs. If they don't do their work, they fail. If we don't do ours, we'll experience failures too. It's time we quit expecting God to just "work everything out" and blaming Him when it doesn't. It's time we, as a Christian society, get up and get busy!



*Understand that getting a job...or a second job...or a new job...or extra work...or whatever may pop into your mind as you read this, may not be what God is asking you to do! Sometimes God wants to use others to provide for you as you fulfill his will. As in everything, You must be lead by the Spirit. God is our source of fulfillment. Hard work alone will never create success in life. Sure, it may create money, but not success. Diligence, when united with God's promises, is unstoppable!

Make it Yourself!

A delicious dinner made right in our own home.  Okay, so it's not the most nutritious thing, but this isn't "Portraits of Nutrition"!  The point I'm making here is that we had all of the ingredients with the exception of baking powder because mine was expired (but Sam got some for about a buck)! We had a new and exciting chicken and waffles experience, which I've been wanting to try for years, without the expense of going to Gladys and Ron's. The waffles were homemade whole grain and were SO much better than store-bought could ever dream of being, and literally cost us the price of baking powder to make. Your taste buds do not have to sacrifice because of frugal-living. Hear me: you do NOT have to live off of hamburger helper! (Can I get an amen?) Just be creative: type some main ingredients that you have on hand into Google and see what comes up, think back to what grandma used to make, or search five-ingredient meals. I think you'll be surprised at what you can do if you have the staples and some time (or, in this case, a few amazing friends who will come to your house before Bible Study and cook while you're stuck in two meetings after work)!

Where has all the money gone?

This is a really important part of the process: the budget. This is where you sit down and take a look at just where your money has gone and should be going.  It's where you get the reality check and start to understand just why you're so broke!  God's so good and has provided all along the way and we're trusting that He will continue to provide as we make changes, based on His guidance. I'm reminded of the song my friend Debbie sings "Make me a blessing" because that is our desire. We don't need stuff, but we do want to be able to help people!

Mismatched Tupperware

I cannot believe it.  This one hurts a little, guys.  My desire would be to have all matching just like those on the right. But the truth is, we have lots of leftovers in this house that we take to work or send with others, so we need lots of tupperware. Some day I'll be all matching again because it makes me smile, but for now: frugality will triumph!

No longer "tagged" as a teacher

I used to have an educator tag...now I have a standard GA tag.  The rates went up so we saved $35 per car by not having special tags!

Changing My Life

My amazing hubby and I have decided to make some changes in our lives. One of these is going to be getting ahead of the money game. We want to have money not only to be able to live comfortably, but to bless others in the process!  So, one way we're making this happen is by making small changes in our lives that will help us to save some money here and there.  After all...a penny saved is a penny earned!   ...And if we put that penny into savings, then a penny saved is MORE than a penny earned!

I hope you'll laugh with/at us as I chronicle some of the random things we are doing in effort to save a penny where we can. Some of them may seem ridiculous, but that all come with the price of sacrifice. Just like every time I pass up a great pair of shoes, it hurts just a little bit. So, laugh away...and get some ideas about how you too can save a penny!