Little Miss Sunshine

Today it is warm-ish and very breezy. So I am using the line today. So far I have dried four loads. Soon to be five. They dry quickly and it is a snap to dry on the line. If you have two trees you can have a decent line. Clothespins are available at the Dollar Tree for a good size bag. I can not say enough about using the free wind and sun. I like to get out there when the weather is like this....I will not use the line come late November or December......I do not line dry in the harsh winter...I just do not like frozen clothes!

Enjoy yor Sunday!

Walgreens has their BIGROLL on sale for 39 cents with a coupon. Cheap and lots of it on a roll. I will purchase it thru the week with my spare change. Limit 3 rolls per coupon. I have five coupons.
I always stock up on this item. Enough said. Get a good bargain this week and while you are Walgreens....walk right past all that Halloween candy!

Keep your eye out for small gifts for teachers and others you need to buy for and start your stash pile now for Christmas. Find a sturdy cardboard box--place it in your closet and start stashing away. Buy in multiplies as well and also buy things that are good for guys or gals. It will be such a blessing!
Also try to really cut your gift list down as much as possible. Getting divorced really helped me in this department. I used to HAVE to buy for every relative....now I am free from that bondage.

Just try to do a little stashing each week---you will be so glad you did!

Well today I went to work and promptly landed in the emergency room! I was going to do some vacumming for a lady at work when I plugged in my vaccum and had sparks fly out of the outlet and lots of black smoke and I got a slight burn on my hand! Thankfully the nurse at our place was near by. I felt ok, just sorta "shocked" so to speak that something weird like that happened!
Right away all the managers rushed over and the workers compensation paper work came out flying! My boss was told to drive me to the hospital. Part of me felt horrible for all the fuss.....but then reality kicked in! What if it had been really worse or I ended up electocuted! So off I went for a chest x-ray, and EKG, bloodwork and a heart monitor! I ended up being OK.....although I DO have to go back on Sunday to have them re-check me. I wish I could skip that but my boss insisted for workers compensation. I also felt terrible as they just fixed my vacumm IN HOUSE! The guy who fixed it I think felt very very guilty. I tried to let him know that I was fine and that I was not upset at anyone. Still I could tell this guy was feeling badly. Then all the girls I work with were so concerned...in a silly way I felt like I guess they do care about me. In a silly way it made me smile over the whole day! All in all--- a rough kinda of a day.

I am back at work on Saturday and I sure hope no one needs me to vacuum!

I did go out and shopped a bit at the outlet place I love. Fleece jacket in pink for me...$8.00 and jean jacket trimmed in fake black fur....$12.00. Pretty good deals. I also bought some ribbon in pink and also some in white, 600 feet in total for $3.00.

Off to clean up a bit and then heat up some soup, then off to bed. My girls are with their dad and I wish they would call me. He keeps them so busy....it is impossible for them to call me. Days like today I wish they were home with me.
What a day-----glad it is almost over.

I would like to give a shout out to all the single moms who are out there.
I would say for the most part single moms are the queens of being frugal! It amazes me how many of them seem to do it all and never complain. One gal I work with is amazing to me. She is struggling yet I never see her without a smile or a word of encouragment for ME. I decided last week to make her a dinner as she just moved herself and children to a new rental home. I was thrilled to make up a simple dinner complete with side dishes and desert. She seemed so touched to have a dinner that was ready for her and her children.

If you know a single mom who is struggling--there are ways to help her.
Here a few ideas........
* cooked dinner or food basket
* gift card to the Dollar Tree
* gas gift card
* mowing her lawn, offering to clean
* babysitting
* encouraging books
* phone calls, emails that are regular

Some single moms are in great need. Some have had huge obstacles to overcome. Luckily I have a great set of parents and a wonderful sisiter. Some ladies who are single have zero support from any kind souls. God Bless all the single moms.
Keep encouraged!

This is one sure fire way to save money!
Bypassing fun. Sometimes it is just so much better to limit the fun factor. Yet not many people seem to do it. At times I purposely will turn down an invite to save some money. I am sure that sounds weird and strange.....but I will do it. I try to balance out the times I do go out and spend with the times I really must hunker down. Truly I do not have to be going out alot to feel satsified and very content with my life. I also can be very happy with things kept simple!

I have learned to be very happy in my home as well since I am paying a mortgage....I need to enjoy my home as
much as possible. I have friends who try to escape their homes. I think that is wrong thinking.

I do not go to many events or big ticket events either. I often wonder if someday I will look back and regret not doing so many activities! I know for now it just not so important to me.

Today I stopped by my fav outlet store and found a cute wooden praying angel.
It is a total knock off of the wood carved ones you see at Cracker Barrel and gift shops. My daughter has been wanting one. Cost? 99 cents! She is 11 so I think a knock off is OK. So yes...I made my first purchase.

Note to self.....walk by every roll of wrapping paper and gift bag. Even if it is super cheap!!! I am not allowed to purchase one shred of it! I have enough...I have enough! I have plenty!

So I guess I am off and running a bit in the Christmas gift department. I am sure some of you are done and even gift wrapped. I usually start with small stocking stuffers....and then work up to bigger items. My kids love their stockings! Unfortunatly they were made by my mom and she made them so large that it takes a small bank loan to fill them up!
So I have to get some Halloween candy to fill them up a bit! Apples help the cause as well.

Now where to store this angel and not forget about her!

I had an opportunity to work an extra day on Thursday my "normal" day off. It was to work a fun senior fair at our place.
I overhead my boss saying they really needed extra help so I offered to come in. Then I promptly had to say I COULD NOT work! I forgot I have a delivery scheduled on Thursday! BUT I was glad I threw my name out to work extra hours! She knows I am a willing to come in and work if it worked with my kids and their activities. I have been working an extra 30 min each day. So far no one seems to care and they are willing right now to pay me.


I hear alot of girls at my work complain they need more money...yet when asked to work an extra day or stay a little longer....MAN OH MAN do they complain!!! I think we need to be a willing and ready team player as far as jobs are concerned. My job could be cut one day...who knows! So I have to develop the right working attiude NOW. I also am trying to have everyone at my workplace KNOW MY NAME! So the way to do that is to say HI to everyone, help them out or go the extra mile for someone each day. I feel it is important. I consider it a small part of job security. I also have learned to stop whinning and complianing to everyone. One gal is doing that right now...in fact she is trying to land an other job at a different place and she has been flaunting it in everyone's face. She has managed to tell my boss everything about the new job search! Is that NUTS or what? Never become that comfortable with bosses that you would discuss ditching the company openly in front of them. I think at this point the company may just fire her. Not good!
We need to be much wiser in business dealings. Even if you are a lowly housekeeper. If you do not have anything nice to say---well...you know....keep your mouth shut!

If you can work some overtime---it can add up money wise and it can help you get ahead at work.

I did spend some money on some basics on Thursday. I had an internet coupon for 20% off my entire purchase this week at BIG LOTS. If you sign up online at their web site you can get occasionally--- coupons via your computer. So I bought basics for home for around $38.00 and then got 20% off everything at the register. I also found a wonderful night cream for $1.95. I have super super sensitive skin and this stuff is awesome!
I did not turn red or itch!!! So sign up for some coupons at BIG LOTS and save.
They have some nice deals and then some stuff that is not that great price wise.

That is how I have felt these past few days. I cashed my paycheck and used the cash to pay for groceries and this and that.....and now my paycheck is dwindling down. I got so bummed out. I am not sure why. The money I earn seems to fly out the door. My kids just seem to need this or that. A quick trip for this or cash for this at school.....it is really frustrating with four kids to not nickle and dime myself to death. Today we are off to buy some pumpkins. DO we really NEED pumpkins? Not really but my girls love to go every year. So making a memory at the pumpkn patch is important to me.

I guess weekends seem harder because that seems to be when I do the majority of my spending. Hopefully I will gain back more control starting on Monday. Just tough being the single mom sometimes. I feel the weight of the world at times on my shoulders....yet i would not have it any other way. I am truly in control of my destiny as far as money goes. I do have choices and when I choose poorly I only have me to blame.

On the hand I am grateful....I have alot of blessings! Life can be hard but yet I am thankful for everything I have and what I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED in my life.
One day at a time....doing the best I can with what I have.

The girls are eating out with dad on Tuesday and they have breakfast on Thursday with him before school. This is a such a help to my food budget. Little things add up. Yesterday we did not have school so the girls ate alot yesterday.....since I was not home I could not be as watchful. I now have to head back to the store as I was just there on SUNDAY to do some re-loading. Oh well...they seemed to have eaten all things healthy. I am glad for that.

It was too hot here yesterday. I hope it cools very soon. I need my clothesline to be operating. I did not put away my patio furniture yet for the season. I forgot that I tend to use it to drape wet laundry on it and use the furniture as a super huge drying rack outside! That will stay out till the snow begins to fly.

I love to be frugal that way.....my girls hate seeing their undies out on the patio------ drying in the sun!

I heard on the radio this weekend that it really saves to switch to the newer type light bulbs. I am not sure what they are called but they are not the ones I use now...the reg old fashioned bulbs. Last I checked a long time ago I will be honest...they were expensive. Now I hear they are much cheaper and it wise to upgrade to these. Is that true? Should I switch and where do you get the best prices? I was very curious. I turn lights off constantly but I want to save more money. I need to do this if this is the case...that they save you money like crazy.

Did not spend too much money this weekend
I did call my mom and we talked for a while, spent $6.00 at the Dollar Tree for a birthday gift and a mop for work. ( yes I buy some of my own work supplies---which is ridiculous I know!)I also bought myself WENDYS for $3.00 on Sunday.
So all in all I stayed cheap for the weekend. I did manage to scrub out the fridge and clean the kitchen really really well. I cleaned out the pantry as well......I had to pitch some food which I HATE TO DO!!! But I had to do it. I also washed all the bedding and mowed. I did have to use the dryer because it was too humid to hang the clothes on the line! I will be able to hang things this week as the weather is to turn cooler and the humidity is leaving finally!!! I did work on my journalling which was relaxing.
I emailed some friends and talked to a girlfriend who just got her divorce finallized. We compared notes and had a nice time chatting.

I had a bad day at work......I got very upset about something. I decided to not talk to my boss the whole day and just let things chill for me. Better to keep my mouth shut a bit. I did speak my peace about something...but now I HAVE to let it go and move on. Hopefully I will have a better Tuesday.

I did buy a frozen dinner for tonight....
It was not cheap but sometimes I like to do it. I bought enough to feed the three girls...I will eat salad and maybe PB and J sandwich. I can not justify buying two frozen dinners....so I eat other stuff or leftovers.

We are eating alot of grapes and apples and carrots. Soup has been a good thing too. We never seem to tire of good soup. Also I made a frozen apple pie on Sunday. It has pecans in it with carmel sauce drizzled on top.....it was a splurge at GF Service. It is simply decandent!!!!! WE have enjoyed the splurge.

For gifts for teachers or a few folks I like to bless....... I have decided to bake cookies. I will get cute plates at the Dollar Tree. Everyone will eat a Christmas cookie even if they are watching their weight I decided. Plus it works for men or ladies. I will bake some when my kids are with their dad and bake others WITH my girls. I will keep the baking simple. I will keep this in the back of my mind as I shop and find good deals.

I hope to live very frugally this weekend as my kids are with their dad. I tend to really turn off lights and keep things very simple while they gone. It helps me catch up and see areas I need to improve on.

Weekends I am by myself--I have tried to go out for dinner with a friend but I have even cut way back on that. Honestly it is because I usually need to rest or sleep! I can eat so frugally at home too.
I can keep myself pretty happy on a shoestring so to speak. Most of my socializing I do at work with my co-workers at work....so I get plenty of adult interacton. That is helpful to my sanity!

I have some yard work to do and I will be putting away some stuff outside for winter. My patio furniture and umbrella need stored along with some beach things.
I will wash my cars too.....it is going to be very nice weather wise.

Gas around here is 2.38. I think that is pretty amazing. It is still crazy but it seems to be better lately. It is wonderful to get a slight break.

OK Am I the only one who has been receiving Holiday catalogs in the mail?
WOW! I am just not in the mood to Christmas shop! I can not get all fired up over ornaments, light up this and that or must haves right now. I am sure I will never get too overly excited. I am not a grinch but it is way too much. I have made a big decsion to simply--throw every catalog away that I receive.
I will not even glance at it or open it....I will toss it right away.
I got three today and three got tossed.
It is really liberating. It will save money and keep me focused on my financial goals at hand.

Merry Christmas

As a housekeeper I clean each day for about 40 older folks. I have learned many many wonderful lessons....all based on common sense. Here is one I will share.
The folks who have cluttered up and knick knacked apartments are generally depressed. These folks do not leave their apartments much to socailize or eat with others. The folks with neater, less cluttered and simplier apartments...tend to be cheery and more upbeat. Most of them socailize and eat with other friends in the dining room. They tend to be friendly and talkative with others....and have a wonderful outlook on aging, even the ones with out much family around.

I noticed that with the messier folks I have a hard time cleaning after them and the neater ones...it is joy to clean for and things get done quicker and things look nicer. Their environment seems happier all around.

Lessons learned for me...keep it simple.
I used to watch alot of home shopping when I was a young married stay at home mother, home with babies and basically depressed living with my ex-husband. I felt I had to have every candle...every basket....every holiday this or that to make my house a home. I went to every home party under the sun and felt I had to buy to make friends or have friends. Silly I now know. Well I have grown and matured and been thru so much....I have a whole new view on living simply and with less. I am far more happier and more content and basically a much more happy person. Plus it is better to save the money for when you are OLDER. Living in the here and now is not smart. We have to save for when we are too sick or too old. I personally will never look to the government for much at all. The burden rests on me. If you think it is expensive now wait for when you are older and you have to possibly pay big bucks to have someone help you shower or use the potty.

If you are living cluttered try to stop the madness now and get yourself some help and get rid of stuff. Or stop buying stuff to feel better. It really helped me to come to that realization. Plus I have a clutter free mind and heart. Talk about true joy. No amount of money can purchase that.

I feel badly for some of the folks I clean for......they are so stuck in their clutter vortex. It is horrible trap to be in at any age.
So learn a lesson or two today, save your money, spend less, stop buying silly trinkets and live without clutter.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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!