Layout:
Home > Archive: September, 2007

Archive for September, 2007

Jackpot of sorts

September 30th, 2007 at 04:14 am

Part of my divorce settlement from a couple years ago was getting some proceeds from new home construction. My husband at the time loved to help people with money in many varied and un-fruitful ways. He himself has built a very successful business. For some reason he just was so darn gulliable. He managed to get suckered into this scheme or that, over and over it seemd. This one adventure he went into with some mutual friends who are very small time home builders. They basically live in poverty and act like big shots. Well--they built two homes in two years time...banking that they would sell for lots of money. One finally sold so I got some proceeds. Oh happy day. That will go into the money market fund. I WILL NOT SPEND IT OR USE IT FOR BILLS!
I DO NOT CARE....SAVE IT FOR THE RETIRMENT FUND.

I am so glad to be done with hairball schemes and helping buddies make it big----it is a relief to be simple and not so stressed. I enjoy my life. Enough said.

Maxed Out-the DVD

September 30th, 2007 at 03:54 am

I have a netflix membership. I love it.
I only get two dvd's per month. I requested MAXED OUT. This is an independent film regarding the credit card industry. It is a total eye opener. Most of the items I knew about but it was interesting to hear and see the effects of credit that is very mis-used. I HIGHLY recomend this film. It really will encourage you not to get caught in a trap and if you are trapped...about getting out. There is one part that made me cry because my son is in college....just like some of the others mentioned in two personal stories. I will not tell you what it is about but again...I ended up crying a small bucket load. Again..a serious movie about a serious issue facing all of us.

Cheap Recreation Hobbies I Like

September 30th, 2007 at 01:05 am

Here are some of my hobbies that are way CHEAP

1. Journalling and copying poetry
2. Organizing and collecting recipes
3. Blogging/emailing
4. Surfing on the internet
5. Reading newspapers I collect at work
6. Couponing
7. Reading library books
8. Reading magazines from the library
9. Browsing at the bookstore
10. Bike riding around my neighborhood
11. Walking around the neighborhood
12. Swinging on the porch swing
13. Playing with my two cats
14. Doing stuff with my kids outside
15. Organizing my greeting cards
16. Word search puzzles
17. Jigsaw puzzles

How to save some money

September 30th, 2007 at 12:57 am

Reisiting the urge to eat out is a hard one for me. Today we were on the go all day! I spent a large percentage of my day
driving children here and there and attending this and that. For example....dinner. I mean it would of been very EASY to stay in the traffic at the mall and just eat out. Part of me felt sorry for myself. Then I told myself...no! We had some apples, baked beans and hot dogs. Fine and dandy---simple. The kids were certainly happy to have dinner at home...esp hot dogs.

I have to resist ---resist---resist.
It sure is a mental game at times. The feeling I get from just saying no is so much rewarding when I look back each day.
Being frugal and practical is not for the faint of heart. It requires such will and determination. At times I do feel the pull....I have to remind myself each and every day to be frugal and make good choices.

Iams coupons

September 28th, 2007 at 03:29 am

Have you used the IAMS pet food coupons from the Sunday Paper yet? I have! Coupons for $5.00 off any size bag of the digestive cat food were a great find. My two cats are wonderfully dear to me and my kids. But one kitty tends to throw up ALOT. This nice kitty food has totally helped her keep her food down and settled. So I bought five bags. Each bag costs around $9.99 so I used my coupons and got $5 off each and every bag! So it cost me $4.99 a bag. It was awesome to save that cash. It was wonderful to find a cat food that helps my kitty stay healthy. Some coupons are just like finding GOLD!

Samples

September 28th, 2007 at 03:24 am

Do you get free samples in the mail?
I started awhile back and have amassed a basketfull! I love it. I get so many different types. Most are the samples I use in the bathroom area. So in a pretty basket they land when I get them in my mailbox. I really appreciate the value in samples. If you are new to samples just hit the WalMart web site....they also have free this or that to try.

Also major brands have web sites....many offer samples to try. You will be hooked once you start. Good Luck on filling up your sample basket.

Newspapers

September 27th, 2007 at 09:09 pm

My daughter has a paper route. The paper gets delivered once a week on Thursdays.
She is now too busy to do it. So now I am doing it. I earn a small paycheck for about two hours of work and a small amt of gas. I like it. Plus I am off on Thursdays....so it is not too much extra effort for me.

I highly recommend paper routes to earn some extra cash. They are always asking me if I know anyone who wants a route. It
is also nice because I do not have to collect any money...the newspaper pays me a check every two weeks.

Check out a newspaper route if you need some money.

Thnigs to work on

September 27th, 2007 at 04:56 am

1. using coupons as much as I can
2. using cash from my paycheck for purchases
3. being sure to pay bills on time
4. turning off lights that are wasteful
5. making good use of free items from work that I come across/throw aways
6. keeping myself busy at home as much as possible
7. resisting the urge to splurge
8. watching phone use
9. better use of driving time to run errands more efficiently.

"If you don't enjoy what you have.....how could you be happy with more?"

"You want to know if you will be rich--the answer is.....can you save money?"

How to spend money at work

September 27th, 2007 at 01:13 am

Since I have worked at my part time job...I have noticed I am about the only one who brings a lunch to work. I only get 15 mins to eat. So I have to be kinda quick with lunchtime.

I am shocked by how many folks tell me how bad off they are money wise and then run out to get fast food or worse the vending machine. I do not pack anything too fancy...but it is a snap to do each morning. I recently bought a thermos for 99 cents and I fill it with soup I heat up each day. I think being frugal can be way easy at times. Little ways or the LATTE factor...do add up.

I hope I can inspire one person to join me at the lunch table soon.

Gas Prices

September 27th, 2007 at 12:18 am

How is gas your way? I just stopped at the pump right here in town and the price was 2.46 a gallon.
I think that is pretty darn good! I am driving my son's car as he is not allowed to have it at college. It is 2002 Ford Focus. For me it has been a terrific car----- great on gas and practical to drive. It is a hatchback style. We are able to haul a lawnmower in it with the hatch closed. Roomy for five.....well roomy for five with most being kids.
It beats driving my large conversion van right now. Gas is still pricey but way better than it has been. The little Focus really helps me save money.

Grocery Game

September 26th, 2007 at 04:20 am

Have you tried the Grocery Game? I signed up and quickly stopped. I just did not find it worthy of my time. I buy alot of fresh stuff and really try to limit the time I shop. So for me it was easy to do my own game so to speak. I know some moms who love it. I am really trying HARD to use coupons. I use them when they apply to our eating habits and budget.
I guess the trick is to see what works best for you and your menu needs.

I am trying to only shop once a week, with my menu for the week and not go back into a store unless very very necessary. Easier said than done.

The Dollar Tree

September 26th, 2007 at 04:10 am

I stopped in at the Dollar Tree today. I was bummed out! They do not carry kitty litter pan liners anymore. They were a great cheap price there. That taught me a lesson in stocking up!!! When in doubt...stock it up!

Purchased propel waters, toilet paper and a mop to use at work. My work place is a bit cheap. My mop broke....I needed one but I had to wait for the next supply order. This will work for now. I love the Dollar Tree! I love their gift bags. I have so many----I can not buy one gift bag or note pad! I am fully stocked forever!

Part Time Work

September 26th, 2007 at 03:08 am

In the spring I got my first job since having children 18 years ago! I am a housekeeper at an assisted living apartment complex. I really love it.
I work from 8:30am to 1:30 four days a week and every other Saturday for about 8 hours. It works perfectly with my kids school schedule.

I love to talk and work with older folks. It is a perfect match for me. At times I do more than clean. Today I helped a hospice nurse sponge bath a lady who is dying from cancer. She is on death's door. I felt so humbled to be able to help in this very small act of love and kindness. I have grown close to this older lady. She is now ready to close the last chapter of her life book. Other folks are so happy to have me stop in and chat or look at old photos. Some share about a tv show they are watching--some want to know the weather since they rarely get to leave their apartment. Some need help just putting on socks or getting a towel or robe. It is very satifying to help in simple ways. It is amazing just saying hello or good morning can make someone else's day!

A few people have said I am wasting my education. I am not sure. So far I have been so blessed and humbled. I have learned hundreds of precious life
lessons, to me that is not a wasteful.

I also get lots of free things at work. Newspapers, magaizines, tons of coupons, free what nots that get thrown away. It is amazing the free nice items I receive.
It is a small perk of the job.

Working has been a wonderful way to heal for me as well. Going thru a divorce .....I needed something to help me heal and recover a bit. Just helping others has been the remedy I needed.



Hello Again from Front Porch Mom!

September 26th, 2007 at 02:54 am

Hello Friends! This is Front Porch Mom again! I am back to blogging! I had some computer problems, I got lazy and then I got busy.....but I missed bloggin so very much I HAD to come back to visit and stay! So hello again.

So much has happened.....my son graduated from HS and is now in college and I am working and loving it! Summer was wonderful and yet challenging as I worked. It was a whole new way of life for my three kids who were home. I am enjoying working part time. I also went thru gastric bypass surgery in December. I am open to share with anyone who is interested in this procedure-basically it saved my life.

I am still trying so very hard to be frugal and live as plainly as I possibly can. Each day is a challenge of course. I enjoy it! Life is not easy but I enjoy each blessing as it comes.

My teenage daughter has been a challenge. When she gets moody I tell her to put more sunshine in her heart. It really bugs her I guess. It must of meant something as she now purchased a tee shirt that says LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE on it. So I guess my message did get to her! Hence the name of my BLOG! Little Miss Sunshine. No matter how bleak life can be or how many troubles come my way I refuse to get too down and bummed out with life.

Blogging is a wonderful way to share ideas and stay encouraged. I hope I can do that for you! Thanks for having me back. I look forward to sharing and meeting new friends.