I love the Dollar Store!

Just a short post to let you in on my newest dollar store craft idea.  For $1 each, I bought a kitchen whisk and a bag of Christmas chocolates.  I simply squeezed the chocolates into the whisk (they all didn't fit, so I had to sample a few) and placed a cellophane bag around it and added a holiday ribbon and bow.  This is a great gift for a secret Santa, Aunt Millie, or as a hostess gift.  You could add a recipe, an oven mitt, or tie onto a package. 

Gotta run! 

Has it really been that long?????

I have really been neglecting my blog because I have been so busy with holiday craft shows and bazaars.  I did a show at Blackstone Country Club, one at Cider Days in Lakewood, Overland High School in Aurora, Red Rocks Country Club in Morrison, Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show at the Merchandise Mart in Denver and now I am at Grandmother's House Holiday Boutique in Centennial.  But one exciting thing has come of all of this....I have been asked to do a segment for Colorado's Best, a noontime show on Channel 2 here in Denver.  I will be showing how to turn regular household items or items that you might find at the dollar store or thrift store and turn them into gifts for even your pickiest person on your list.  Some of my ideas are my snowman muffin tins, my santa paintbrush ornaments, a kitchen kiss whisk, my spindle angels, children's personalized aprons, and so much more.  Tune in on November 23 at noon to see my segment, or check out my other blog for tutorials:  http://3peas-in-a-podprim.blogspot.com/

Save those beer bottle caps!

Bottle caps are a big thing with scrapbookers and you can buy them at craft stores or on Ebay.  But I save my own!  The look is different when they have been crimped but they are still cool.  Paint your bottle caps your favorite color and decorate accordingly.  This is a free download of Santa Heads printed on my printer and cut out.  I have a one inch hole punch that I turn upside down to get it perfectly over the picture.  If you don't have a hole punch, you can just cut them out with a scissors.  Glue to dried cap. (inside)  You can decorate however you want!  I use a modgepodge filler to cover the photo and I dip the crimping in glue and glitter.  But there are many things you can do with them!
I added mine to an aged and stamped tag.  You could make a necklace, (maybe a little locket type necklace with your favorite photo inside.)  You might try funky earrings, a collage of photos when mounted to a board, a Christmas ornament, and the list goes on.  Get creative! 

Fall is in the air!

When this time of year rolls around, I think of harvest and Thanksgiving.  Since our garden didn't do as well as normal this year, I made a trip to the local farmer's market and bought enough cukes, tomatoes, and corn for a nice winter stash.  My tip is this:  When shopping at a farmer's market, ask if there are any specials.  Most of the time they are posted, but I missed one.  The market clerk showed me a halfbushel of oversized cucumbers.  Too big for pickling but they were only $2.50!  I took them of course.  They made up nicely into dill and sweet relish.  I just scooped out the seeds and used the rest.  What a deal!

I also made dill and sweet spears and slices, ground tomatoes, salsa, pickled beets, rhubarb, corn relish, and bread and butter pickles.  I processed over 100 jars and had to freeze some of the tomatoes.  So here is another tip:  Be sure to save all of your jars and rings.  They can be kind of pricey buying new each year.  You can also find them at garage sales but just be sure there are no chips along the rim.  You MUST replace the lid each year though. 

Another tip is to save all of those plastic butter, cool whip, cottage cheese, etc, containers.  If you are like me, you save them and they soon become overwhelming so you throw them out.  I have learned to put them in a large garbage bag that I keep in my basement.  They are great for freezing you many veggies in.  For instance, last year I made so many loaves of zucchini bread that when I met someone new, I would say, "Glad to meet you.  Want some zucchini bread?"  Then I started using these throw away containers.  I shredded the zucchini and measured it out into one batch sizes and labeled and froze.  I also did this with pumpkin. 

Have a great week, everyone!

Not too old to try something new.....

I had quite the experience last week.  We were moving from one construction yard to another and we have greatly downsized.  We decided to sell some of the scrap metal rather than move it or dump it.  I had no idea!  This is a huge business.  On the first load, we were unloaded by the CLAW.  Yep, it looks just like one of those claw devices where you try to pick up the stuffed animals only it was like 1000 time bigger.  We had all sorts of scrap metal.  The claw threw it up on a huge pile of bed springs, washing machines, cars and other assorted junk.  On the second trip, we (Scott, my son, and I) loaded up aluminum cans and copper wire.  There was a huge line to get in.  It was so entertaining!  There was a truck a couple of slots ahead of us.  There were three men in this compact truck.  I assume they were out of gas because they shut the truck off and pushed it forward each time the line moved.  Behind us was an old van full of what we called Hippies, who obviously did not have air conditioning.  They were using rags to wipe their arm pits.  There was a literal soccer mom, who drove a van with a soccer goal strapped to the top.  My favorite though, was the older man on a bicycle who had a very new-looking lawn mower strapped to the top. 

Though it was hard work and very hot, I had an enjoyable time and pocketed around $700 for our efforts.  I believe I will go back!  Next time, with my camera!

Clearance in grocery stores?

You betcha!  I have found some really great buys lately in my neighborhood grocery stores.  You just gotta look!  Not only are there deep discounts in the bakery area, but also there are some great prices in the meat and dairy departments.  You just have to be sure that you are smart in how to use any fresh or refrigerated items.  So if you buy steaks that are half price, chances are they are nearing their sell-by date.  Same with dairy.  What you may not realize is that sell by and use by dates are not the same.  If you are unsure how they are different, ask your grocer.  Many times, milk will be good for an entire week after the sell-by date. 

Have you ever checked out the clearance items in the cosmetics section?  Many times, items are up to 75% off if they are an overstock, being discontinued, or if they are just unpopular.  My local store, also has an area close to the bakery day-old items that carries other items.  I bought a 12 pack of soda pop for $1.19 because the packaging was torn, some relish for $ .69 because the label was torn and toilet paper 12 pack for $2.59 because of torn packaging.  Check it out!!!!

Time is money.........

My time has been really tight lately and sometimes I have to stop and remember that time management is money management.  If I am spinning my wheels and loading my schedule with more than I should, I find that I am stopping at fast food restaurants, the closest gas station, and the grocery store on the way home (without a list)   I might buy food that is not on sale, forget my coupons, and leave my reusable bags at home.  So this short post is for all those parents, business owners, hobbyists, daughters and sons, and homeowners that have taken the weight of the world on themselves to carry.......LIGHTEN UP!  Your wallet, your psyche, your family, and your body will thank you!

Check out the grand reopening!

I am reopening my Etsy store this month.  Check it out!
www.etsy.com/shop/3peas2010

Fun with muffin tins

This week I went to a thrift store and purchased three used muffin tins, two mini muffins and one regular.  They were $.75 each.

I spray painted them with a brown primer, first on the back and then on the front.

Even though one of the tins was teflon lined, the paint seemed to adhere really nicely.

After the tins were completely dry, I used acrylic paint to coat the bottom of each one.  I used light buttermilk but you could use any shade of white that you like.  You may have to do more than one coat though, since with some acrylics, they may not offer coverage over the dark colors.

Then just get creative and finish off the tins as individual snowman faces.  I used black for the eyes and mouth and a burnt orange for the noses.  It is easy to use the end of a paintbrush dipped in paint for the eyes and for some of the dots on the mouth.  I also used a marker for some of the mouths.  Just make sure that the marker you use will not run.  To make the noses I painted them on, but you could use a marker if you want. 



When dry, I spatter-painted each with a bit of ivory paint, watered down a bit and  applied with a spatter brush.  You can use a toothbrush.  Just load the brush with the water/paint mixture and shake off the excess.  Scrape you finger or a pencil across the top of the toothbrush and the little dabs of paint will give it a spattered or "snowy" appearance.  Its best to do this outside because it can be messy.  And its also a good idea to practice so that you can get the right amount of spatter.  To finish, I put a ribbon through the hole in the top of the tin and tied a bow.  Great gift!  Great decor!

I will be adding more tutorials on cheap or recyclable items later.  I have a great fall item to make of beer bottles and even the caps from the bottles can be used for holiday gifts.  More  later  ..........

And what about those discounts?

The other day I was doing my shopping at Goodwill and when I checked out, the clerk asked me if I was a Senior.  After my poise was re-gained (who would recognize that I look old enough to be a senior?) I asked, why?  What is my discount?  How old is a senior?  So swallow that pride and reap benefits of up to 20% savings at restaurants and retail stores.  And the discounts are not just for seniors.  There are discounts out there for children, military, and sometimes even being a resident of a town where you buy.  Children often get discounted prices at movie theaters and restaurants and on certain days, can even eat free with an accompanying adult.  Military discounts are everywhere, particularly on patriotic holidays such as July 4 and Memorial Day.  And did you know that if you live in some resort towns, all you have to do is mention that you are a local resident and you are discounted?

Besides the Goodwill retail store, you will find discounts at Kohl's, McDonald's, IHOP, most movie chains, Ross, Red Robin.....and the list goes on.  To be sure, either call or visit the chain's website for more information.  Sometimes, as with Kohl's, there is a certain day of the week where the discounts apply.

In addition to these discounts, search on line for coupons.  For instance, yesterday I knew that I was going to need some craft supplies.  I pulled up the Hobby Lobby website, saw what was on sale and got a 40% off coupon.  I scored!  Last time I took my dogs to PetCo for grooming, a coupon for $10 printed when I paid.  I asked the cashier to apply it to my current bill and they did!  Just ask.  Remember, the worst that can happen is that they tell you no.

Happy savings..........

Busy, busy.

I have been so busy for the last couple of weeks that I just haven't had time to share with you.  This week I had fun doing a research study for frozen dinners.  This is a great way to earn a little extra pocket money and have a good time too.  There are numerous research companies in every metropolitan area as well as some on line companies.  This particular study was to compare two frozen entrees (they were furnished.....yeah! free food!) and then you took part in their panel discussion and gave your opinions.  That's it!  And it paid $150!  The drawbacks are these:  You had to drive to their office and pick up the food.  You spent two hours in discussion in their office.  You had to fill out "homework" which consisted of a questionaire rating the products (2 pgs) and they ask you to make a collage.  The upside was this:  Free food.  Validated parking.  Meeting new people (who actually wanted your opinion) and of course a visa debit card for $150.  This particular company is Field Research and I have also done studies for Plaza Research.  Both have offices in other cities.  And there are studies available on line as well.  You can earn points that you can turn into prizes and you also get freebies to test.  I tested toothpaste recently from an on-line company. 

My other savings tip this week goes back to my prior topic: Pets.  I decided I could no longer afford to groom my two Westies every 4-6 weeks.  At between $60-100, I had to find another way.  Walmart sells dog grooming kits for around $30.  They contain the clippers, scissors, comb, and even a dvd on grooming the different breeds.  I will admit to a learning curve, but I think I did pretty well for a first time.  I may have to take them in 2-3 times a year for trims, but I am saving mega bucks. 

I even sheared hubby while I was at it. 

Check out my other blog: http://3peas-in-a-podprim.blogspot.com/  for some ideas on building a pathway out of found objects too. 

Till next time......................

Free stuff is good stuff!

This is a snapshot of some of the freebies that I have gotten in the last week!

Sure there are sample sized shampoo and conditioner, but there is a full quart of glidden paint, full size cottenelle moist wipes and a package of John Freida hair color that retailed for $12.99!  If you are not using the sample websites, you are truly missing out.  So, you say, I don't need the baby formula.  Well, neither do I, but there are women's shelters and other charities that might.  Also, go to the websites for different manufacturers.  If they currently don't have a sample available, sign up for their newsletters.  Each time a new or improved product is introduced, you will get notification, usually with a sample or coupon offer.  The same holds true for restaurants and retail stores in your area.  Once you get on the mailing lists, you receive notification of current ads, sales, coupons, and BOGOs.  Happy shopping!!!!!!

Also visit my blog: http://3Peas-in-a-podprim.blogspot.com/ for a free tutorial on how to make gifts and ornaments from old paintbrushes!

Memorial Day savings

Memorial day should be a day when we honor those who have fought for our freedom in our armed services. But it has also become that start of summer weekend where every furniture store, car dealership, and department store runs ads for deep discounts on their items. Of course, some of the sales will not end on Monday,but will continue throughout the week. Supermarkets as well will offer specials on traditional picnic items such as watermelon, soda pop, hamburger, hot dogs, chips, buns, and condiments. This is a great time to stock up on the items that your family uses on a daily or weekly basis. I purchased 5 twelve packs of pop (assorted brands)for $12, chips were $1.99 per bag (Lay's) and gourmet buns were 2/$3 (normally $2.59 ea). And I took my coupons and reduced my grocery bill by $64.

Gardening took over most of the weekend. There is something special about putting my hands in the dirt and watching things grow. Here is to hoping your seeds are planted and your harvest is on its way.

Hope your weekend was all that you wanted it to be. Till next time..............

Sunday again.........

I had a delightful day with two of my grandkids yesterday. But one thing that I seem to have forgotten is how much teenagers can eat. My frig was pretty much void of junk food which at 14, is the food of choice. So I decided to shop from my cupboard. And with the help of the kids, we spent time together, spent no additional money, and had plenty of goodies for those teenage bellies. I had a couple of boxes of instant pudding and milk, so that was made up in a jif. I always keep powdered milk on hand as well just in case I need milk for a recipe and have none on hand. We had the normal staples so Quest made a batch of snickerdoodles and Skylar made some brownies. We watched a movie that we owned and I popped some corn. I had deer steak in the freezer, instant potatoes in the cabinet and green beans frozen from last year's harvest, so we did have a nutritious dinner.

So try shopping from your cupboard. Many web sites offer free recipes where you can plug in the ingredients and a plethura of recipes are available. So lets see......frozen turkey......cornbread stuffing mix.....frozen corn......

Well, I guess I had better get to searching.....Later.....

Long time no post

I won't lie.  I have been having a dispute with Google, but finally after a short hiatus, I am back.  Won't be beaten.  So today I want to talk about pets.  I have two little dogs that I love dearly:  Angel and Sugar

Angel and Sugar are spoiled rotten West Highland Terriers.  There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, that I would not do for them.  But owning high-maintenance puppies can be tough during financial crisis.  So without our precious pets making any sacrifices, here are a couple of things you can do to keep your pets happy and without digging for quarters in the sofa.

1.  Westies need to be groomed.  At between $35-$55 each for grooming, I have found that by having them cut just a bit shorter, I can extend their time between appointements and I bathe them in between visits myself.  I do trim around their faces myself(ever so carefully)  And a trick to that just groomed smell:  baby powder.  Not sure how this works on dogs that are not white, but a liberal dusting of baby powder after a bath, will turn that smelly tan dog into a scentful white puppy in no time.

2.  My puppies love treats, don't you?  But the treats that they prefer are a bit pricey.  Up to $7 for a package that really doesn't last very long with these two.  So....make your own!  There are several free recipes on the internet.  You can roll them out like sugar cookies and cut them into shapes or Angel's personal favorites are made like drop cookies.  Some dogs like peanut butter, some like cheese, some like beef, some like tuna.  Do a google search and use ingredients that you have on hand.  Mine have flour, corn meal, a little garlic powder and chicken broth.  I throw in a little grated cheese if I have it.....Yummy!

3.  Do your pets like toys?  You can save loads of money by skipping the toy section at you local petstore and look at second hand stores or garage sales for stuffed animals or squeaky toys.  Some baby toys are perfect for puppies too.  Just make sure if your dog is a chewer, that he is not left alone with a toy with stuffing. 

4. Love is free.  More than treats or toys, your puppy just wants to be loved.  Now that is a money saving tip we can all live with!

Till next time.........

Monday Musings

When I was a mall shopper, a lunch hour shopper, a shopper of boredom, I never once set foot in a Dollar Store.  Yuck, I thought.  A dirty, unorganized place with a bunch of junk, not worth a dollar.  But not necessarily so!  I was shown the error of my ways by my daughter.  While there may be some dollar stores where not everything is $1, or where things are junky, dirty, unorganized, it is not the case with one particular store.  I LOVE shopping at Dollar Tree. 

The Dollar Trees in my area are clean, organized, and the people who work there have all seemed pretty friendly.  Not all merchandise is a bargain, but there are some really good buys.  One thing that is always a great buy are greeting cards (2/$1), gift wrap and bags, party decor, and holiday items.  You can also find bargains on toiletries, kitchen utensils, books, and some food items (expecially canned goods and spices).  You can find chipss, soda pop and I have even found Smart Ones frozen meals for $1. 

Not all things are great buys so be careful of some cleaners, craft items, and toys.  But you can get a dog collar for a buck, as well as dish towels and spatulas.  Always look before you buy.  A $1 package of baggies may not be a great buy if there are only 20 in the box.  Just as you would do in any grocery stores, read labels and packaging and you could just walk away with a great bargain!

Seven Reasons to Shop at Craft Shows

After spending the day at a Mother's Day Bazaar, I was disappointed at the trickle of shoppers.  I realize that it is in a fairly rural area, and that today is Friday, but I also think that lack of Craft Show Education might be a primary reason. 
1.)  Not all craft shows, holiday bazaars, festivals, fairs, and boutiques are created equal.  You need to shop to determine if the show is for you.  Some are all handcrafted articles, some are not.  Some are local artisans, some are not.  Some shows are juried, some are not.  But unless you attend, it is doubtful if you find out if this show is right for you or not.
2.)  Craft shows offer a supply of unique items that will individualize your decor as well as your gift giving.  Often artisans design their own products and they will be different from any that you would find in a department store. Anyone who receives a handmade gift will feel the love that went into it.
3.)  Craft shows support the local economy.  Many of the artisans at a craft show produce their craft as a primary source of income.  And they probably buy their raw materials locally. 
4.)  Since most artisans are self employed, there might be some wiggle room on the prices.  But don't insult a crafter by offering a ridiculously low price.  The artisan knows the amount of material and labor that goes in to each piece.  Each situation is different so you might start the conversation with, "Are you negotiable on the price?"
5.)  In most cases, you are dealing with an expert when you buy from a crafter.  After all, they most likely made the item, perhaps designed the item, and know any special uses or requirements for the item.
6.)  Most artisans welcome special orders.  So if you see a pillow that you would like created in a special fabric or color, a necklace with a different chain length, or a Christmas ornament personalized with your child's name, most crafters will attempt to honor your requests.
7.)  You meet the nicest people!  I have been doing shows for 16 years and have made friends, met caring, loving people, and have gotten great advice.  I have been shopping craft shows for even longer and have found that the patrons and artisans are the greatest ever!

So if you thought craft shows were just grannies with crocheted hats, paperclip necklaces, and stuffed animals, think again!  Today's craft markets require expertise and professionalism.  You may find those crocheted hats, but you will also find customized handbags, one of a kind collectibles and decor,  and specially formulated soaps and lotions.  Jewelry, fashions, and unique greeting cards can also be found. 

So get out of that rut!  Go shop a craft show!

Have you ever thought about chickens?

A few years ago, my husband decided he wanted to raise chickens.  He was the butt of many jokes, and everyone snickered, calling him Farmer Randy.  I was not a cheerleader.  But I have had a change of heart.  There is nothing like a fresh egg omelet, and nearly once a week we have breakfast for dinner.  Our neighbor sells her eggs, but we don't.  We give them to family and friends or barter for something.  And I am always asked to bring the deviled eggs to a potluck.  (Hardly any cost to me.)

Of course, we do buy feed so there is a cost involved but talk about being green!  Produce scraps, yard waste, even stale bread are all treats for our chicks.  And what do we get in return for the watermelon rind and carrot tops?  Manure!  Our gardens love it! 

Of course, you need to check your zoning.  And there is some work involved, feeding, watering, cleaning, etc.  So start small and raise some chicks!

What cha shopping for Wednesday...

Grocery ads are out today, at least in Denver and sale items have to do with Cinco de Mayo.  So even if you don't take advantage of the holiday, do take advantage of the sales.  Ground beef and avacados are on sale at Sunflower Farmers Market (avocados are 3/$1!) and some of the larger chains will be discounting the same next Wednesday.  Look for refried beans and assorted Mexican kits to go on sale next week too.  So you might want to stock up on some of the canned items then.

Be sure when you are shopping in your local market not to overlook the day-old section, usually at the back or corner of the store.  This is where baked goods, and some other items, particularly seasonal, are found.   Some items that are especially good are pastries, bagels, and some specialty breads.  Steer clear of doughnuts, cream pies, and any canned goods with dents.  If the pastry is a little stale, just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and it will freshen right up.  Toasted bagels will taste the same and are usually discounted up to half. 

Happy bargain shopping!

Monday Already

Hoping everyone had a blessed Easter.  Living in Colorado, ours may have been a bit different than yours:

I know, it looks more like Christmas than Easter.  And speaking of Christmas, I have a little recycling advice for you.  Do you send or receive Christmas cards?  I do and it seems like we get a ton.  But some are just too pretty to toss after the holiday.  So here is what I do:  I use the cards as gift tags.  Of course, you don't want to use anything with writing on it, and none of the family photos either.  But those with glitter, holiday scenes, etc are great.  I cut them with a pinked scizzors that I use only for paper, but you could cut them with any paper cutter.  Then use a hole punch and make a hole in one corner, and there you have it!  A green gift tag!  And you can do that with any card.  So if you have beautiful Easter cards, use them as tags for showers, gifts, or on next year's Easter baskets.  I may never buy tags again!

And I wanted to share one of my latest freebies:

This came in the mail Saturday.  It is a beautiful flask from Copenhagen that was personalized free for my son.  No $$$$$!!!!!!!!  There is no advertising on the flask, so it makes a perfect gift.  Aren't you just green with envy???  Sign up for freebies at Copenhagen's website.  You can also get $$off coupons for their products as well.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill.....

No, I am not singing a Christmas carol.  I want to talk about Goodwill Industries.  If you are on a budget, this might be your best shopping bargain yet.  I hope you aren't of the belief that there is just a bunch of junk that didn't sell at Garage Sales.  Not at all.  Goodwill is the recipient of overstocks, gifts from Grandma, and booty from Princess ShopsAlot.  I bought a brand new Liz Claiborne bag for $5!  Some of the best buys in the place are kids clothes, vintage decor and collectibles, holiday decorations, and furniture.  You can also find glass ware and dishes for a fraction of the original cost. 

And there is more!  Every day of the week, Goodwill Industries will discount a tag color by 50%.  For instance, all pink tags are 50% off marked price.  And if you want even more savings, sign up at their website for newsletters announcing special events and sales.  In addition, I got a $5 off coupon in the   mail to be used on a $20 purchase.  So in effect, I got that Liz bag for free! 

And yet one more thing.  Goodwill Industries is an employer of thousands, many of whom have physical or mental handicaps.  So by shopping(or donating) with Goodwill, you are saving money, helping the community fund jobs, and recycling.  Visit your nearby store or website.  Think of the good you are doing.

Friday thoughts

There are lots of ways to save money because so many of us are just plain wasteful.  But one of the quickest and easiest ways is at the grocery stores.  Couponing is a great way to save, but that is a tip for another day.  Let's just think about ads and membership cards.  Nearly every store has its own membership card.  I have worn out a couple over the years, but that's okay, nearly all are can be accessed through your phone number.  ALWAYS use your card, even if you are only picking up one thing.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  First, many of the stores track your purchases and you will either receive coupons in the mail or on-line via email for the items that you buy.  If you think that is too big-brotherish, you may be right.  But I am willing to sacrifice someone looking in to my grocery cart to save money.  The second reason is that many stores give discounts at the gas pumps based on your purchases.  If I can save $.10-$.50 per gallon, I will. 

Secondly, sign up for your store's emails or newsletters.  In Denver, ads hit the paper on Wednesday for grocery stores.  Sometimes you can get advance notice on ads, as well as special promotions.  And one of our chains (check where you live) sends out an email on Tuesday so you can plan a day in advance.  Sunflower Markets does this and then overlaps ads.  This means that on Wednesday, if you shop at Sunflower Markets, you can take advantage of last week's ads as well as this coming week ads.   And don't think for a minute because Sunflower Markets sounds too all-natural, Boulderish, that it is expensive.  Sure, you may pay a little more for specialty items, but in-season produce is sold at remarkable prices.  I have purchased pineapple for $.99, berries for $.77 and this week canteloupe is 4/$5 as is strawberries, mandarines and pineapple.

Another reason to sign up is that you can load e-coupons onto your membership card.  No need to carry all those coupons.  I know sometimes I buy something, forgetting I have a coupon, but if it is loaded on your card, no worries!  One of my markets also sends me frequent shopper discounts which normally result in about 10%.  I saved $18 on an order of $180!

So get to know your markets! 

Tip for Thursday

Last night when I got home from a pretty tough day, I was so overjoyed to see a package from Proctor and Gamble.  Inside was a full sized package of the Tide stain remover tabs and a sample size of liquid Tide detergent.  Freebies always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, you know?  You may ask, how does she do it?  Easy!  There are websites that you can sign up for and daily you can get emails from them giving you the inside scoop on freebies, coupons and sweepstakes.  Two of my favorites are AllYou.com and MySavings.com.  Once you start ordering your free samples, you can also go into the manufacture's website and get access to even more samples.  Some of the things that I have gotten totally free are a stainless steel thermos, ball caps, dog food, detergent, shampoo, vitamins, a nettipot, and even an engraved flask.  Its kind of like Christmas every day when there are goodies in your mailbox.  In addition, you get coupons for $$ off or even additonal free merchandise from your department or grocery stores.  Go ahead!  Sign up!  And it is FREE, FREE, FREE!

Wednesday Tip of the Day

Do you recycle?  I know many of you save cans and newspapers and maybe even plastic jugs.  But that isn't all there is to recycling.  How about coffee?  Yes, I recycle coffee.  When there is just that smidgeon left in the bottom of the pot, I pour it into a glass jar and store it in the fridge.  I use it as an antique treatment on many of my crafts.  Mix in a little vanilla and cinnamon and you have an aged item that smells so good!  Its used best on fabric items that you want to give a country or primitive touch, but it can also be used on painted items as well. 

Tuesday Tip of the Day

Today I have a great tip of the day for you.....Declutter your life!  It may not seem that by getting rid of "stuff" that it is a savings but alas, my friend, you are so, so wrong.  If you are anything like me, you have no idea just how much of that "stuff" you have.  This is such a huge area, that I think it needs to be broken down into little mini-de-clutters.  So here is where I have to start:

I have been out of work for over a year and in that time, the only make-up that I have purchased has been mascara.  I had a huge stockpile of lotions, creams, eye shadow and liner, mineral and cream make-up, and the list goes on.  My sister is an Avon rep and I love the product but do you really need to buy one eyeliner of every color each time there is a sale? 

So here is how to start with the personal items decluttering:
    1. Sort and determine what you have.  You need to make three piles, or boxes or bags for sorting.  Keep, Toss, Donate.
          a.  Keep-even if you have 12 packages of deodorant, if they are still good, you might want to keep them.  Other things to keep are fragrances, lotions, bath oil, and any makeup that you wear/have worn and will wear again.
          b.  Toss-broken lipsticks, mascara that has been opened and is older than three months old, eye shadow that is broken up or you hate and will NEVER wear.  Also toss any other personal item that you have not used in a year or know you will not use.
          c.  Donate-this is a much smaller category for personal items that it might be for something like housewares or clothes.  Things you might donate would be those unopened gift items that the thought of using makes you nauscous.  Also samples.  I belong to several free sample websites (more on this on another post) and I get all kinds of freebies that I will never use but someone else might:  certain kinds of sanitary products, acne applications, some vitamins or topical creams.  The clue here is unopened. 
    2.   Now take your piles, bags or boxes of sorted items and do the right thing.  Donate your bag of unopened toiletries to Goodwill, a woman's shelter,  or any other place that gratefully accepts donations of this kind.  Some churches or resource centers are in need of toiletries for homeless families or families in need.  Some toiletries are in need for our troops, disadvantaged civilizations, or areas hard hit by natural disasters.  You can contact your local organizations by going on line or looking up the charity in the phone book.  Knowing that you un-needed items will be appreciated will make your little heart feel really good.
     The items that you are going to toss are an easy fix.  Just put the bag in the trash can.  Put the lid on it and never, never look back.
     The category that will take the most work is the KEEP box.  Now that you decided to KEEP, do not add to your stash!  If you have 12 bottles of bubble bath, put one near the tub and stash the others.  Do not buy more!  You have to be diligent in using up what you have.  Regularly inventory what you have and unless something is free, do not add to your hoard!

There are two other categories that I will normally bring up. There is usually a fourth category which is SELL.  Personal items that you have hoarded are not usually sold unless you have some unopened expensive perfume that someone might buy at a garage sale or on Ebay.  The last category is REGIFT.  I guess there might be a time to regift a personal item.  But I do think that it is a rare occurance unless maybe you have purchased an on-sale item and have purchased it for the purpose of gifting. 

Now don't you feel better already?  No clutter, no need to buy, and maybe that warm glow deep down inside from giving......

More later.............

Tip of the day....

Here is my tip of the day for all of you girls and guys out there.....Marry well.  This little bit of wisdom came up over the weekend when my refrigerator/freezer went out.  I was really worrying about getting it fixed, what it would cost, how long to get a repairman out, etc.  Hubby worked all day Saturday, then came home and on Sunday morning, he fixed it!  Well, I may not have married for money, but at least I got a bargain in the "He can fix it" department. 

Easter decor.....cheep!

I published this tutorial on making salt dough ornaments on my other blog and thought you might like to see!  It is fun, cheap, and looks great!http://3peas-in-a-podprim.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter!

Pinching pennies

It has been one full year now since I have been gainfully employed.  No unemployment, no severence, nothing.  I have learned alot in that one year.  Like what is important.  But I have also learned how to live on much less.  Some of it is very fundimental, some not so much.  I would love to share what I have learned as well as maybe get some ideas from you. 

To start with, let me explain something.  I want to save money and the planet, but I do draw the line....I will not make dresses out of burlap bags, dig in the dumpsters for food, or grind my own wheat for bread.  If you are into that, then this is probably not the place for you.  I applaud you, just don't want to be you.

It's Springtime people.  So lets start with this one seasonal saving:  Plant.  I know that you may live on a 10 floor apartment, or maybe you have a farm, but wherever you are, you can save money by planting.  Make sure it is food that you like.  Don't plant an acre of green beans if you hate them.  Last spring, we planted cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, beets, corn, squash, pumpkins, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, peas, peppers and lots of onions.   Since I live in the mountains, we planted much in our greenhouse.  We have had one for years.  But if that isn't in your budget, make one.   In addition to our greenhouse, we built a temporary one of scrap lumber, pvc and plastic.  If you have a longer growing season, you may not want or need one.  We also started many of our plants in our basement and transplanted when the last frost is over.  That way you can start seeds, not seedlings, which are more expensive. 

No greenhouse?  No acreage?  No worries.  You can harvest lettuce, potatoes, and more from pots on your deck or terrace. 

I'm not an expert gardener.  You can get books from the local library for free, google questions on the internet, or simply ask at your local nursery.  But I am gaining expertise at pinching those pennies.  I canned or froze some of nearly everything we planted last year.  When there was so much zucchini that I was ready to scream, I ran some through the food processor and measured out enough for my favorite recipes and froze it in freezer bags.  I canned pickles, beets, tomatoes, salsa, applesauce, peppers, and more.  And when the holidays rolled around, fresh zucchini bread and home-made salsa were hits with everyone!

Start thinking about it.  Fresh food, little cost.....How can you go wrong?