Happy Frugal Friday!
Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely this week:
- I entered Pampers Points and redeemed 1,000 for a free Shutterfly Photo Book. Saved: $29.99
- We continued decorating with Annabeth's Birthday Flowers
- We saved money on our baking budget by creatively saving sugar
- I used a Shutterfly offer to redeem a page of free address labels. Saved: $6.99
- I saved extra on my grocery budget this month by using ecoupons for the first full month. Saved: $8.50
- I got a free pair of underwear at Victoria's Secret with a coupon that came in the mail. Saved: $12.50
- We ate all meals at home this week.
- We did only free recreational activities - going to the park, playing outside, and getting books and movies from the library.
Total Saved: $57.98
What have you been doing to save money this week? Do you use ecoupons? Store coupons?
Happy Savings to All!
"Buy Used and Save the Difference"
Friday, October 25, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Sweet Savings!
On moving day in July, Mark's parents were kind enough to buy our moving crew breakfast. They brought a coffee bar and yummy breakfast baked goods. Most everything got finished that weekend but we had leftover coffee condiments that I could not bear to throw away! Mark used the Sweet N Low packets over time but since July we have had the sugar and Equal packets in our pantry in little baggies.
They have been falling out, spilling packets on the shelves, and lining the bottom of my pantry so when I did our big pantry clean out this week I decided they had to go. I knew that no one in our families use Equal so I plan to take that to our church's food pantry but I realized the sugar was just inconveniently packaged for baking. This morning, Annabeth and I emptied all of the packets and were able to get about 3/4 cup of sugar to add to our big container!
They have been falling out, spilling packets on the shelves, and lining the bottom of my pantry so when I did our big pantry clean out this week I decided they had to go. I knew that no one in our families use Equal so I plan to take that to our church's food pantry but I realized the sugar was just inconveniently packaged for baking. This morning, Annabeth and I emptied all of the packets and were able to get about 3/4 cup of sugar to add to our big container!
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned!
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Annabeth's Birthday Flowers
To say that Annabeth loves flowers is an understatement; they are her favorite things! She loved our pansies that we planted at the old house and that we moved to the new house.
She was heartbroken when in late August we had to admit defeat and throw them away.
She was overjoyed when we let her pick out her own flowers at the store one September day. She picked out lovely yellow (or as she says 'lellow) mums.
Even though her birthday party had a Princess theme we really only had princess plates, napkins, and of course her castle cake that were themed. Mark wanted to decorate with flowers instead of princess items and he picked the perfect items! He went out on her birthday eve and got four beautiful bouquets of flowers! She was thrilled when she woke up on her birthday to " 'LOLWERS " on all of the tables!
We wanted to make sure we made the best use of the flowers. They stayed very nice until this past week so on Thursday the 17th we had to weed out the ones that had wilted. I was impressed they made it 13 days looking really nice. Once I went through them I found one nice one of each kind left and Mark pressed them into one of our Bibles so she can have a dried bouquet from her 2nd Birthday. I also noticed that all of the pink and red ones were still pretty fresh so I made a new bouquet out of those! They are decorating our dinning room table very nicely.
We are so glad that not only has Annabeth been able to really enjoy these flowers for two weeks already but that we've found ways to keep using them!
What do you do with bouquets when they begin to wilt?
She was heartbroken when in late August we had to admit defeat and throw them away.
She was overjoyed when we let her pick out her own flowers at the store one September day. She picked out lovely yellow (or as she says 'lellow) mums.
Even though her birthday party had a Princess theme we really only had princess plates, napkins, and of course her castle cake that were themed. Mark wanted to decorate with flowers instead of princess items and he picked the perfect items! He went out on her birthday eve and got four beautiful bouquets of flowers! She was thrilled when she woke up on her birthday to " 'LOLWERS " on all of the tables!
Mark and Annabeth enjoying her birthday breakfast while smelling her flowers
We wanted to make sure we made the best use of the flowers. They stayed very nice until this past week so on Thursday the 17th we had to weed out the ones that had wilted. I was impressed they made it 13 days looking really nice. Once I went through them I found one nice one of each kind left and Mark pressed them into one of our Bibles so she can have a dried bouquet from her 2nd Birthday. I also noticed that all of the pink and red ones were still pretty fresh so I made a new bouquet out of those! They are decorating our dinning room table very nicely.
We are so glad that not only has Annabeth been able to really enjoy these flowers for two weeks already but that we've found ways to keep using them!
What do you do with bouquets when they begin to wilt?
Friday, October 18, 2013
Frugal Fridays 9
Here is what we did to save money/spend money wisely this week:
- I had a Shutterfly coupon set to expire at the end of the month. I ordered $20 worth of autumn greeting cards for just the cost of shipping. Saved: $20
- I shopped at Target for Kashi Granola Bars that we love! They are only $3 a box there which is much less than other stores. PLUS this week they were on sale for $2.75 a box AND buy 3, get 1 free. Saved: $3.75
- We visited my family this past weekend and came home with tons of freebies:
- My Mama and Sister had cleaned out their closets so I came home with a new skirt and about seven new shirts!
- My Momaw sent Annabeth home with a week's worth of snacks. She even had purchased one of Annabeth's favorite treats, Goldfish crackers!
- Momaw also sent us home with a Racehorse Pie that we did not all finish while there. We refrigerated it and then were able to heat and serve it to company this week.
- We took our Box Tops for Education stash to my best friend who is a teacher at a low income public school. We usually tend to buy store brand products but for items that are more expensive I try to make sure to at least buy either Kellogg's so I can earn my Kellogg's points or ones with Box Tops so we can help schools.
- I shipped the last of my maternity clothes (at least the last ones I am willing to part with - I've kept two pairs or pants and two shirts for memory's sake) to a camp friend in Texas. Between my friends Rose, Sarah, and now Katie I have been able to pass on most everything I had! I did loan some to Jenn as well and then we sold those in our garage sales.
- We ate lunch and dinner at home or while visiting friends, we did not shop this week, and we also enjoyed lots of free fun outside and at our library.
That's it for us. What did you and your family do to save money/spend money wisely this week?
Happy Savings to All!
"Buy Used and Save the Difference"
- I had a Shutterfly coupon set to expire at the end of the month. I ordered $20 worth of autumn greeting cards for just the cost of shipping. Saved: $20
- I shopped at Target for Kashi Granola Bars that we love! They are only $3 a box there which is much less than other stores. PLUS this week they were on sale for $2.75 a box AND buy 3, get 1 free. Saved: $3.75
- We visited my family this past weekend and came home with tons of freebies:
- My Mama and Sister had cleaned out their closets so I came home with a new skirt and about seven new shirts!
- My Momaw sent Annabeth home with a week's worth of snacks. She even had purchased one of Annabeth's favorite treats, Goldfish crackers!
- Momaw also sent us home with a Racehorse Pie that we did not all finish while there. We refrigerated it and then were able to heat and serve it to company this week.
- We took our Box Tops for Education stash to my best friend who is a teacher at a low income public school. We usually tend to buy store brand products but for items that are more expensive I try to make sure to at least buy either Kellogg's so I can earn my Kellogg's points or ones with Box Tops so we can help schools.
- I shipped the last of my maternity clothes (at least the last ones I am willing to part with - I've kept two pairs or pants and two shirts for memory's sake) to a camp friend in Texas. Between my friends Rose, Sarah, and now Katie I have been able to pass on most everything I had! I did loan some to Jenn as well and then we sold those in our garage sales.
- We ate lunch and dinner at home or while visiting friends, we did not shop this week, and we also enjoyed lots of free fun outside and at our library.
That's it for us. What did you and your family do to save money/spend money wisely this week?
Happy Savings to All!
"Buy Used and Save the Difference"
Friday, October 11, 2013
Frugal Fridays 8
Here is what we did this week to save money/spend money wisely/creatively make money:
- Annabeth's 2nd Birthday was last Saturday and we had TONS of leftovers from that. We ate leftovers through Monday dinner. I just added fruit and veggies and called it a meal!
- Annabeth had three fun and frugal birthday outfits
- Sunday I went to pick up my unsold items from the Consignment Sale. Here are my posts on getting ready and my post sale post. In the end I made $57.50! :)
- Monday I took unsold winter items from the sale to Once Upon a Child and made an additional $20!
- We added birthday and sale money to Annabeth's savings account.
- Tuesday we had company in so I made a double serving of pasta for lunch and we were able to have it again for dinner this week. I also made a huge dessert and we were able to send leftovers with that guest AND take it to a playdate on Wednesday.
- I took our monthly trip to Big Lots for cereal ($1.80 a box/one box per month - we are not huge cereal fans) and juice ($2 a bottle/2 bottles per month)
- Thursday Annabeth and I enjoyed her weekly FREE library class. She was able to move from "Wonderful Ones" to "Terrific Twos" this week! What a big girl.
- I went to Kohl's with Kohl's Cash to spend! Before going, I looked through our closets to see what we might really "need" from Kohl's so that I was not just wandering, throwing things in the cart. I saw that Annabeth does not have any church clothes for next spring or summer and they have really nice, cute ones! I hit the clearance racks and found: 2 church dresses*, 1 summer adventure bonnet, and a 2 piece outfit that we will give as a gift. After my Kohl's Cash I spent $9 and saved $79.40!
*I did not intend to buy two dresses and would have saved more money if I had just purchased one but this happened: I pulled all of the dresses in her size off the rack, showed them to her, and she firmly said "No." to all of them but one. Unfortunately it was a 2T dress on a 3T hanger and although it fits now I was worried it may be too small come spring. I put it back but when we got tot the front and I was double checking prices with a price scanner she said, "Mama", signed "Where?," Said, "Fishy dress?" Oh man! Four words in a row! How could I say no?! I went back to get the "fishy dress." So, if you see us in a fish sundress this winter...you will know why!*
What have you been doing to save money? Let me know!
Happy Savings to All!
"Buy Used and Save the Difference"
- Annabeth's 2nd Birthday was last Saturday and we had TONS of leftovers from that. We ate leftovers through Monday dinner. I just added fruit and veggies and called it a meal!
- Annabeth had three fun and frugal birthday outfits
- Sunday I went to pick up my unsold items from the Consignment Sale. Here are my posts on getting ready and my post sale post. In the end I made $57.50! :)
- Monday I took unsold winter items from the sale to Once Upon a Child and made an additional $20!
- We added birthday and sale money to Annabeth's savings account.
- Tuesday we had company in so I made a double serving of pasta for lunch and we were able to have it again for dinner this week. I also made a huge dessert and we were able to send leftovers with that guest AND take it to a playdate on Wednesday.
- I took our monthly trip to Big Lots for cereal ($1.80 a box/one box per month - we are not huge cereal fans) and juice ($2 a bottle/2 bottles per month)
- Thursday Annabeth and I enjoyed her weekly FREE library class. She was able to move from "Wonderful Ones" to "Terrific Twos" this week! What a big girl.
- I went to Kohl's with Kohl's Cash to spend! Before going, I looked through our closets to see what we might really "need" from Kohl's so that I was not just wandering, throwing things in the cart. I saw that Annabeth does not have any church clothes for next spring or summer and they have really nice, cute ones! I hit the clearance racks and found: 2 church dresses*, 1 summer adventure bonnet, and a 2 piece outfit that we will give as a gift. After my Kohl's Cash I spent $9 and saved $79.40!
*I did not intend to buy two dresses and would have saved more money if I had just purchased one but this happened: I pulled all of the dresses in her size off the rack, showed them to her, and she firmly said "No." to all of them but one. Unfortunately it was a 2T dress on a 3T hanger and although it fits now I was worried it may be too small come spring. I put it back but when we got tot the front and I was double checking prices with a price scanner she said, "Mama", signed "Where?," Said, "Fishy dress?" Oh man! Four words in a row! How could I say no?! I went back to get the "fishy dress." So, if you see us in a fish sundress this winter...you will know why!*
What have you been doing to save money? Let me know!
Happy Savings to All!
"Buy Used and Save the Difference"
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Three Fun and Frugal Birthday Outfits
I like LOVE to have themed outfits for each of Annabeth's holidays.
Just wanted to share her 2nd Birthday ones...
Just wanted to share her 2nd Birthday ones...
Outfit #1
Ruffle pants and shirt with balloons and "Birthday Girl" in the lower left corner
- Gymboree clearance last January, with a coupon!, both pieces for $5!
Outfit #2
Grey Leggings from Carter's - FREE as my Mama bought them last spring
"I'm the Birthday Princess" shirt - Old Navy Clearance for $2.49
Outfit #3
Carter's Black Leggings - FREE as they were also from Mama
Silver Tutu - purchased over a year ago for $.99 at BuyBuy Baby
Shirt and Bow - FREE - a gift from my cousin's wife who runs her own business
(Pretty Pipsqueak) making items like this -
(Pretty Pipsqueak) making items like this -
Overall I think Annabeth looked very cute and I was pleased seeing as I spent less than $8 on specific birthday items! The pink ruffle pants and tutu have been worn lots before this, went great with her birthday items, and will continue to look great with other outfits.
Do you make or wear special birthday outfits for you or your family?
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Consignment Sale - Part 2 - Post Sale Wrap Up
I survived my first consignment sale as a consigner!
I will use this post as a wrap up and for suggestions for those who are considering consigning. You can also read part one of this series to see what I did to prepare for the sale.
My initial goals were:
1. Enter at least 50 items. Goal Met! I entered nearly 70 items!
2. Make $100. Goat met more than halfway! I made $57.50!
This particular sale was a Fall/Winter Sale so I was able to enter any items except: sandals, shorts, sleeveless dresses/shirts, and swimwear. I did go ahead and tag some t-shirts and more summer looking items in case people like to shop ahead like I do. I would say I had about 20 items that fit in this category and only 2 of them sold. In the future I think I will stick more to just the specific season for each sale.
Items that sold the best:
- 2 and 3 piece outfits
- Pants in very good condition
- 2T and above sized clothing (We had gotten quite a few hand-me-downs that did not meet our family's dress code - too low cut or too grown-up looking for a little girl)
- Character Clothing *ALL of these sold* (Again, these were hand-me-downs of Dora and Spongebob. I like character clothes but only ones that Annabeth actually has an interest in)
- Seasonally Specific *ALL of these sold* Examples: Items with polar bears, snowflakes, and snowmen
- Holiday Outfits *ALL of these sold* This sale I had Halloween and Christmas items.
Items that did not sell:
- Printed shirts without coordinating bottoms
- Printed bottoms without coordinating tops
- Shoes :( Although I think I overpriced mine after I saw other people's prices
- Walmart and Kmart brand items
What I will do differently next time:
- I will try to keep matching outfits together so when I tag I can find them more easily
- I will try to create outfits with printed items of the same brand
- I will wait until Annabeth goes to bed so she is not "helping" me tag! :)
After I picked up my sale items on Sunday, I came home and went through them. I created three stacks:
1. Summer Items. These I left on hangers, with their tags, and will enter them in the April Spring/Summer Sale.
2. Fall/Winter Items to donate. Any items that seemed a bit outdated (I love those jumpers that look like what I wore as a kid but apparently no one else does!) or seemed worn I took to Goodwill.
3. Try Sell Again. I took about 15 items to Once Upon a Child in Indianapolis on Monday and was able to sell quite a few of them and made another $20. After that, I took the unsold items to Goodwill.
Overall, I really enjoyed doing this! I was able to make back $77.50 in just one weekend! $5 of that profit belongs to my sister-in-law for items that I sold for her and the rest went into Annabeth's Dance Class Envelope and will help pay for more than 1 month of dance school!
I look forward to doing it again in the spring and seeing if I can top this sale's profits! :)
I will use this post as a wrap up and for suggestions for those who are considering consigning. You can also read part one of this series to see what I did to prepare for the sale.
My initial goals were:
1. Enter at least 50 items. Goal Met! I entered nearly 70 items!
2. Make $100. Goat met more than halfway! I made $57.50!
This particular sale was a Fall/Winter Sale so I was able to enter any items except: sandals, shorts, sleeveless dresses/shirts, and swimwear. I did go ahead and tag some t-shirts and more summer looking items in case people like to shop ahead like I do. I would say I had about 20 items that fit in this category and only 2 of them sold. In the future I think I will stick more to just the specific season for each sale.
Items that sold the best:
- 2 and 3 piece outfits
- Pants in very good condition
- 2T and above sized clothing (We had gotten quite a few hand-me-downs that did not meet our family's dress code - too low cut or too grown-up looking for a little girl)
- Character Clothing *ALL of these sold* (Again, these were hand-me-downs of Dora and Spongebob. I like character clothes but only ones that Annabeth actually has an interest in)
- Seasonally Specific *ALL of these sold* Examples: Items with polar bears, snowflakes, and snowmen
- Holiday Outfits *ALL of these sold* This sale I had Halloween and Christmas items.
Items that did not sell:
- Printed shirts without coordinating bottoms
- Printed bottoms without coordinating tops
- Shoes :( Although I think I overpriced mine after I saw other people's prices
- Walmart and Kmart brand items
What I will do differently next time:
- I will try to keep matching outfits together so when I tag I can find them more easily
- I will try to create outfits with printed items of the same brand
- I will wait until Annabeth goes to bed so she is not "helping" me tag! :)
After I picked up my sale items on Sunday, I came home and went through them. I created three stacks:
1. Summer Items. These I left on hangers, with their tags, and will enter them in the April Spring/Summer Sale.
2. Fall/Winter Items to donate. Any items that seemed a bit outdated (I love those jumpers that look like what I wore as a kid but apparently no one else does!) or seemed worn I took to Goodwill.
3. Try Sell Again. I took about 15 items to Once Upon a Child in Indianapolis on Monday and was able to sell quite a few of them and made another $20. After that, I took the unsold items to Goodwill.
Overall, I really enjoyed doing this! I was able to make back $77.50 in just one weekend! $5 of that profit belongs to my sister-in-law for items that I sold for her and the rest went into Annabeth's Dance Class Envelope and will help pay for more than 1 month of dance school!
I look forward to doing it again in the spring and seeing if I can top this sale's profits! :)
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