Frugal Style

Inexpensive & Free scenarios for life and budget improvement:

2010-11-17T08:26:00.001-05:00

Goldstar: Was clearing out my emails, unsubscribing and dec-luttering, opening each email one last time to give it the nod or not and was hit with this deal of a life time in an email from Goldstar. FOUR tickets to a Disney on ice show for $62 (AND a list of potential culturally aware activities for me, me and hubby or me hubby and the kiddos. All on the cheap. RECOMMEND!

Indredi-Bills (NORTH JERZEY): On daylight savings, we setup a blockade to children waking up too early.

We took a 7 PM playdate at Incredi-bills. What a time! We were the only people there...I guess the 3 and under crew does not party at this hour. Plus the last hour is Power Hour and they only charge $3 for the Jungle Gym. Super RECOMMEND! There are also arcade games/tickets/prizes ala Chuckie Cheese.

The Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate at Starbucks in a MUG to stay. It's pretty. So it makes a $3.75 (450 Cal) cup of hot chocolate worth it. And remember-Internet is now free at SBUX making hanging out drinking $4 hot chocolate very appealing. It's a good time once in a while.

Using Coupon Codes from Your Phone: if you have a smart phone and are on stores email list, you get the coupons-, if you forget the paper coupon at home and remember you have the email, just show the cashier the Code. This has worked for me at both The Children's place and CVS. Saved $7 without paper coupon. Deal.

Free Gym Membership:
Get a job there. My sister got free membership at a posh gym in NYC by passing out fliers twice a week after work. The way she described the gym sounded the bomb and a good trade (membership value $50 $140 a month) . Since Sis and I live parallel lives, I of course decided to get a free gym membership. Unable to find passing out fliers option, I joined a gym. Then, inspired by my friend and fellow Zumba enthusiast, I became a fitness instructor, got a job at another gym. Canceled old gym membership and got free new gym membership. Go me. Double edge sword of goodness all around.

I never ever in a jillion years picture myself Fitness Instructor. Yet I am! :)

All for now folks. I appreciate your reading. It means a lot.

In Frugal Style,
Sarah

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

Consignment for the Kiddies...good for the earth and the wallet

2010-10-05T21:47:00.000-04:00

A Child's Dream come true!

Last spring, an empty store window was gradually being filled with toys. Every day more toys came and my girls oooh's and aaah'd over what was in the window.

One day the store opened and inside was a frugalista/o parent's dream. Clothing, toys, books, DVD's, sports equipment, etc. for a fraction of the price as new. All of it in lovely condition, priced and displayed well and best of all, just in time for summer.

I was sad it closed after a week, but not before ending in a 50% off tag sale and my visiting at least 3 times, buying a cozy coupe and little tikes wagon which got us through the summer.

It's a semi annual Children Consignment shop called Kiddie Consignments.

"As mothers, we want our world to be as green as possible for our children to grow up in. At Kiddie Consignments, we care about our environment and we want to take every step we can to do our part to keep New Jersey green. There is so much talk about water bottles filling up our landfills, can you imagine what throwing out big plastic ride-ons and climbers are doing to the land fills? In addition "raising a family can be expensive today, at Kiddie Consignments the opportunity to resell and recycle the things your children no longer use or wear is a smart way to earn fast money by selling the items at this semi-annual children’s consignment sale!" says Erin and Neicy, the proprietors of Kiddie Consignments that work hard set up the whole process, recruiting consignors, setting up the space and getting the word out.

This year, they are in the same neighborhood, in a larger space and filled with even more toys, books, ride ons, baby gear and best of all, winter clothing. I picked up 10 outfits for under $40 today.

I decided to consign this year. It was very easy and the Kiddie Consignment website makes the process clear, which in turn is better for he consigner to make money, and great for the shopper because Erin and Neicy inspect every item that enters their store. "You set your price, tag your items, drop them off, and we do the rest."

This quick venture fulfills my need for the side hustle. I have put up close to $400 worth of items and I am really looking forward to the check I am going to get after the fall/winter operation shuts down. Money for me aside, it always feels good, doing my part for the earth....

The sale is now for a limited time. Check it out!

Hours:

Oct.6th-8th

10am-7pm

Half Price Sale 50% off on selected items

Oct. 9th

10am-7pm

Location: 147 Grove St. Bloomfield NJ

In Frugal Style,
Sarah

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

The Side Hustle

2010-09-20T11:38:00.000-04:00

I would say that I have a "career". I work with an organization that supports afterschool programs. I train the teachers that work in the programs. Before this, I ran an afterschool program and did trainings at night and on the weekends for extra money. The trainings were my "Side Hustle", which eventually led to my career, as a full time trainer. I love training and talking afterschool and I am blessed with the opportunity to enhance my career all the time within the organization. But as far as the training for extra money goes, just as $$ is being choked from formal education, the same goes for afterschool. Extra money or "side hustles" in the field are fewer and further between.

Whats been great, is that I have developed additional Side hustles that help to fill in the financial gaps for my Freelancing, Self employed, Part Time employed, full time student, family. My current Side Hustle adventure is being a Zumba fitness instructor. Probably the last job I ever thought I would have, but then again, I spent 3 months making Cat Food. I am really looking forward to getting a job teaching Zumba, but unlike my other Side Hustles, teaching Zumba is actually more like a career. I have to practice! I have to prepare! I have to be able to shake my butt in front of bunches of people for 60 minutes at full energy. Whew! I can't wait!

It made me look back at my years of hustling and the fun and not so fun, yet always interesting Side Hustles I have had:

1. Vacation Camp Owner

Appearing on "What's My Line" Stage Show. My mystery job was Makes Cat Food!

2. Gourmet Pet Food Maker
3. Administrative work at a lawyers office
4. Literacy Tutor (volunteering and extremely rewarding)
5. English Tutor (for the owner of NJ's #1 Chinese Restaurant-the BEST chinese food I ever had, hands down)
6. E-bay
7. Consigning Clothing
8. Teaching Outdoor Education
9. Babysitting
10. Research for a Education Marketing Company

None of these have turned into big money makers, but I had a great time trying different jobs, and always had pocket money for things that weren't in the household budget.Sometimes, these things filled in the red in the budget or led to savings for things we needed/wanted.

Is there any job you ever wanted to try? ( I have a Side Hustle bucket list...)

I'm just saying, when times are tough, as they are for nearly all...don't knock the hustle.

Do you do something on the side?

In frugalstyle,
Sarah

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

I did teach him something...maybe they'll learn too?

2010-06-22T23:29:00.002-04:00

Today, I spent the day with my little brother who is going off to summer camp, sleep away camp, for the first time ever. Without his parents, without me.I can't take how fast time moves. He is 11 years old now and at at time when I am parenting a 2 and 3 year old, and feel helpless and like an awful mother, I was reminded by my loving husband to take baby steps, after I shared with him the story of my day with Sam.

Starting from the end, going backwards, the night ended for S & T in the usual mayhem. Nice and sweet, turning to tired and psychotic, pretty quickly. I stay my calmest, trying like hell to remind myself that it's not about me. They love me and of course they appreciate the 2 hours spent at the pool this afternoon, jumping on a trampoline, playing in the backyard in cozy coupes with purses drooping with mardi gras beads. Their bellies are filled with the yummy turkey, peas and tater tot dinner with fresh sliced mango dessert and they truly enjoyed the 2.5 episodes of Dora that I let them watch as I put their hair into braids.

Despite how much they appreciate me for all of that mothering, they still bug out and give me a hard time about going to bed. They are simply put, over tired. I knew that but still, when they finally go to sleep,
I am upset, and tired and at a loss for what to do and tell Husband that if things continue at this rate, if we should be blessed with the day when we tell T she has a curfew, we better watch out! They aren't learning anything that I am trying to teach them, I whine.

I then proceeded to tell the funny stories about the day, we laughed about the pool and S on the trampoline and the fun we had, and about my shopping trip with brother Sam for his camp trip.

At the start of the morning, Sam asked what the budget would be.
I told him $100 and giggled as he looked at me in shock at this low amount. We had a lot to get.

We spent the morning in a few stores, and by store 3, he had lost all sustenance and was complaining that he didn't have enough calories to go on. Despite this, at the baby Gap, he allowed the shopping to be about his foster nieces as any good uncle would do and we picked out two outfits for the girls. At the register, when the woman told us the total and I handed her the debit card, Sam stated loudly:

"Wait a minute, that's not coming out of my budget is it?"

Adam and I laughed at this story and he then said to me, "wait a minute, look what you taught Sam, baby steps dear wife, baby steps."

Oasis on a Budget 2010

2010-05-21T21:57:00.009-04:00

Spring and summer are my favorite because it's time for my one true hobby: Gardening!

A few years ago I experienced inspiration for my outdoor space. I visited my sis in Cali and saw a backyard garden that was laden with so much cuteness, personality and whimsy that I couldn't take it (or afford to do anything like it, I thought).

I tried to replicate the space on the cheap using some hanging decorative items brought from the dollar store and on sale at Pier One. I potted some plants and designed a poorly laid rock border. The fact of the matter was, I would need to spend some money to make anything nearly close to a mecca of garden fab happen in my backyard.

It may take money to achieve what I wanted, but it wasn't going to be that much money. As with nearly everything else, I needed to do it on a budget.

At first, gardening did not come naturally to me. Thankfully, the woman who lived in our house before us had an emerald green thumb and set me up pretty nice with some real focal point perennials like hydrangea, variegated hostas and roses. The first year, I pulled out anything I thought looked funny and planted some impatiens. Each of the 5 summers here I got more creative but nothing tops this year.

I started by buying very cheap perennials at the end of last growing season (August/September). A master gardener (the assistant commissioner for environmental protection of NJ) told me to purchase and plant a new perennial every week for a garden that would really make a bang, so that's what I did. Except I bought them at the end of the season. I did wait a week between each to plant.

I took it a step further and planted some bulbs last fall which yielded the most fantastic color in early April. The bulbs are still popping up (Pic: bearded irises that my boss and friend Diane Genco, gardener extraordinaire gave me). I can't wait to add more next fall.

Diane also gave me a potato grow bag (pic: black bag) and some pumpkin seeds. The girls and I had a great time planting them in cups at the top of April. I can not wait to pull organic fingerling potatoes out of the grow bag and pick sweet pumpkins in September. As per Diane, I have made the front yard a flower/vegetable plot since that's where all of my light is. It is also what people did for food during the depression. Everyone who had a yard, had food growing in it. Replace the D with and R and I have a front yard garden too.

In my neighborhood, there are about 5 older couple who still do full front yards of food with trellises, raised and tiered beds made from rock and all. I stare in awe as they tend to their peppers and tomatoes. (edit: as of today, my immediate neighbor has planted a new vegetable garden in a path that connects our homes, he offered me gardening space and food when it was ready, I offered him our water-I will now have peppers and tomatoes-SCORE!!)

In addition to the potatoes and pumpkins, I planted zucchini which needs no trellis, carrots and string beans ( trellised on last years willow branches). The combo does not sound like an appetizing dish yet, but I am planting herbs in containers and I bet if I string some potatoes, zucchini and pumpkin on Rosemary sprigs, and pop them on the grill with olive oil, it would be bangin'.

To fill in the spaces and avoid mulch, I planted my new favorite plant, Nasturtium. It's a beautiful trailing edible plant. It all tastes like arugula, and the plant, tossed with cilantro in a romaine salad will be slammin'.

I love to observe all of my goodies every day. Things that grow are sure to please, something new is happening everyday. The girls love it, I am sure they are going to lose their minds when we pull a carrot out of the ground in a few months.

here is the cost spread so far.

Fall 2009
Bulbs (4 bags of daffodils, hyacinth and tulips) $30
Perennials (8 plants, on average $3 to $5 each) $40

Spring 2010
Seeds (nasturtium, forget-me-nots, alyssum, clarkia, larkspur, argostemma) $27
Impatiens Flat $10
Various Perennials (caught on sale at Home Depot for $2 each) $20

So far: $127 (and some change-as I don't keep track of all of the little expenses here and there, I am going with $40 right now).

Going to finish up with a budget of $120 to mulch, plant a few more annuals and herbs. I am positive I am going to have tons left over for more hanging things and unusual pots,

Later...our new patio on a budget!

Getting some help can be Frugal

2010-02-18T13:38:00.005-05:00

Cleaning the house: I don't get to do it often because I don't have a lot of time.

Ok really, I don't enjoy it. However, nothing is better than shiny floors and the sweet smell of Murphy's Oil Soap mixed with lemony pine goodness.

I love sitting in a clean living room, sipping tea, feet up...not a care in the world. Cooking in a freshly scrubbed down kitchen can be absolutely therapeutic. Getting to that point, can be a downright drag. Some people I know really like to clean. I commend you.

I have made myself some rules to make the process a little more bearable.

Cleaning house rules:

One. When cleaning for more than 10 minutes, Play VERY loud music on the stereo, so that I can hear it from anywhere inside of the house, and faintly from the outside, in case I need to go out there.

Two. Clean daily. At the end of each night, I put away, wipe down, sweep up and tuck in as much as my tired soul will allow.

Three. The kids clean up after themselves. On the regular. Before dinner, before school, before bed. I can't keep things tidy if I am dealing with the crumbs, peas and foot prints along with the legos, babies and toys that make sounds, even if you are no where near them.

New Rule # Four. I am going to get my cleaning help back.

When A and I paired down our jobs and began doing things on a much tighter budget, our beloved cleaning assistant Lourdes was the first to go. I was so sad and she was so sad. The one month notice we gave her was dramatically depressing for me. On her last day, we promised to stay in touch and then I dragged a finger along all of the freshly cleaned surfaces as I walked around the house reminiscing about the first time she came to clean it.

Every time I cleaned since then, I thought of our dear Lourdes who came every two weeks to make things all better.

Things are on the up and up, we have hit a nice stride financially and I am ready to see if Lourdes will see us again.

It's going to add about $120 back to our monthly expenditures, but I believe it is frugally responsible and stylish to get some help in our home.

Getting some help will allow me to not stress about the "deep cleaning" of my house. I can do my regular routine and the house will still look good. Help with the chores can also help to eliminate any bad feelings or frustration between spouses or roommates about how often and/or how well they clean their section (we divide the house into zones of cleaning responsibility) and, it creates jobs. For my job, the more I work the more I make, so-stopping to clean for 3 hours can affect my income. (I am going to far?)

I think these reasons justify giving Lourdes a call. I just hope she'll take us back. I wonder if the recession has affected her prices.

Do you get any help in the home?

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

Re-doing for Twentyten: Redesigning Space

2009-12-29T15:48:00.009-05:00

In 2009, I learned that my creative side is dying to come out, more frequently and in more diverse ways. I was once a crafter, a painter, a candle stick maker. Really. I took on all sorts of creative endeavors, even going to craft stores.

But for the last many years, that creative energy was squashed by a number of things. Now it's back and fighting, hard. Creative has lit a match under my butt.

Where to start?

I was talking with a good friend about about making a space for myself as my new project. I kind of sensed that because I never have a place to be creative, I don't do it.

My friend Stef said, "Every woman needs A Room of One's Own" Which is the title of a book by Virginia Woolf.

The premise of A Room of One's Own is that every woman, who is going to be a fiction writer, needs a space of her own to be creative in. Ding Ding. I bet I could kick some ass on a a my college Expository Writing Essays now with all this wisdom. I NEED this space.

So, I claim a space in the house for A Room of my Own, to be creative, write, make jewelry and paint, if and when I feel like it. (and if I am graced with the time)

First stop: The Thrift Shop!

There is a new thrift shop in town that I took an immediate liking to.

It's called Unique and it's located on Rt. 22 East in Springfield. There are a few more locations in NY and NJ.

I went into the store simply because of the name of it. It has no indication on the outside, of what was inside the store. When I walked in, I was amazed. It should be called, Amazing.

Unique is set up with the organization of Kohl's. The aisles and everything in them are lined up nicely, nothing is jammed onto the hangers or racks. The toys are bagged into groupings of similar items for a couple of dollars. The hand bags are organized into long and short strapped and by color. It's a visual pleasure. The housewares section reflects the store Home Goods and they have great books, CD's and DVD's for next to nothing. I think my mouth dropped when I realized that it was actually a thrift store. Just massive.

I grew up on Thrift Shops. From the Bee Hive on Main St. in Newton to the now defunct Barter Box on Walnut St. in Montclair. Thift Shops got a lot of my Saturday Mornings and my mother's money. She knew all the good spots around town, the new one's, the old one's that closed, which days were $5 fill a bag day and befriending the small mom and pop thrift shop owners. I have seen all sorts of Thrift Shops, in basements of church's and even taking up the entire church. (Brick Church in East Orange was a mixed thrift market in the 80's, a huge church filled with thrift, antique and chotchkie vendors) but nothing reflects the caliber of Unique. It's is as if the creators of this store knew exactly what was not right with many other thrift shops.

As I grew to be a teenager, I disdained the thrift shop with a vengeance, refusing to go on the thrift outings and rolling my eyes the Benetton sweater from three years prior with the tags on it.
Mom: "guess how much?"
Me: I dunno.
Mom: "$3.00!!!, How much is this in the store?!"
Me: roll teenage eyeballs

No matter what it was, my Mom had style about her thrift shop finds, it wasn't until adulthood that I came to appreciate the thrift shop.

So, of course the thrift shop is my first stop in creating my space. I am claiming the other half of our bedroom, that holds nothing but a rug, a shelf and a box spring that needs to go into storage.

I stopped into Unique to see what would work, and spotted it instantly, a wooden desk. In next to perfect shape with ample storage, width and length. It was $14.99! Turns out, it's a great piece with a lot of history and a high price tag. Yipee! An Antique!!

I found some other chotchkies and got to work on it. My budget: $100.

In the end I did it for $30. I still need a chair, but I don't think I will break the bank on that one.

I also got the girlies a little toddler table & chairs so they could have a creative space of their own too :)

Desk: $14.99
Mirror: $6.99
Canister: $0.99
Pictures to the right and left of the mirror: $2.32 each
Placemats: $0.50 (IKEA)
Lamp: from the sunporch

PS: you can't get more green than a thrift shop, and usually thift shop income goes directly to helping people.

bye for now

How the frugal do Christmas??

2009-12-08T20:05:00.006-05:00

(Eco Christmas Tree, 2008)

Call me cheap. I made my own Christmas tree last year. I don't want to spend a lot of money on Christmas. I want to enjoy a nice quiet day at home, with some yummy food and my family. Food first. Kidding. I love Christmas. I love the lights, the movies, the family time, the friends and cookies, but it's all very expensive.

As usual, on a budget, we decided at Thanksgiving to do a Secret Santa for the adults. There was actually a light sigh of relief that echoed around the living room as people realized they didn't have to buy a bunch of stuff, or feel bad about not buying a bunch of stuff.

There were 9 adults at dinner and all 9 were happy to join in, even the ones that were new to the family. The kids enjoyed making the names to put in the hat and walking around to let everyone choose their fate.

What has been more fun than trying to shop for the 9 adults individually is trying to figure out who has who! The spying has been rather entertaining as texts and messages go back and forth about what a person may like for their gifts.

Me. I am trying to get the best bang for the buck and come up with some steller gifts within the price limit. I am having some luck, but can't disclose, yet.

My Adam and I never exchange Christmas gifts. I love because I don't have to stress about a gift for him and we usually end up making a large purchase for the house in January when a lot more is on sale.

For the girlies, I am on the lookout for a kitchen play set. The best one for the best price. Not going to be cheap on this one. (unless you have a free one in gently used condition).

So far, I have the set narrowed down. Now, it's about finding the best price. I like nexttag.com for price comparison, but good old calling the store works too. My budget is $100 firm for the whole Christmas kid haul. That includes the kitchen and chotchkies. It's going to be hard to resist all the yellow, bright orange and red stickers announcing price cuts, bargains and deals, so I am working on just staying out of the stores.

I know that the kitchen set will provide hours of fun too. Little S can't take her eyes off of a cooking product infomercial.

For entertainment, we are going to all free events possible. Every town has a tree lighting and usually, local markets are giving out free stuff like cookies and cider to the crowd. There's often caroling and even a Santa. Its also great time killer after dinner. Google your town for Holiday Story Times and Library events.

On Christmas, we are hosting brunch. Much less expensive than a Turkey dinner. I am still not rested from the last Turkey dinner we had so, waffles, eggs and grits it is! Bagels, lox, onions and tomatoes too. Its going to be good. Can't forget Mimosas!

What's your holiday savings plan?

Happy Holidays!

Beans for Play

2009-10-13T16:07:00.006-04:00

Some people have concerns about playing with food, so if that's you, beware.

Toddlers love sensory play, touching stuff, smelling & tasting.

I had some half opended bag of beans so I took a tip from my days working in Day Care to make a sensory table in the backyard. This entertained for a good solid 15 minutes, with a break or two, but with a strong return.

What I had:
A dollar store roasting pan: $1.00
2, half bags of Beans was entertaining enough for two kids: $2.00
Measuring spoons and cups, had around the house

We have played with this several times since making it.

Hope you try it out!

Catching up, still Frugal.

2009-10-12T15:07:00.005-04:00

I haven't been keeping up with my Diary of doing awesome things, and the things I have been doing, have been really awesome. So I'm back at it, but need to review.

Here are some highlights, really special & frugal moments...

September was financially bountiful which was a really nice reprieve from being so budget conscience. I got to buy a few cute wardrobe staples and go on some entertaining outings.

One weekend in September, I had the inexpensive joy of spending time with friends. I love my friends and as we get older, or more kids or more responsibilities, whatever the matter, we get less of each other. I really look forward to the gatherings for kiddie parties, weddings and walks in the park.

I haven't laughed so hard in a while as I did the afternoon of one of my many nephews birthday parties. (play nephew, a few of my friends kids call me Titi, or Aunt- I love it). There we were, with all of our intelligent, cute little families in tow. There was also a lot of belly busting cackling at the Dave Matthew concert in which I learned, again, that I can't party like I used to.

I also joined Zumba. Using the Town Recreation class list, I found a low cost workout I love. $50 for 10 Sessions! We also signed up for the Toddler class, $35 for 10 sessions. What a bargain. Come to find out, lots of towns have great activities like this.

For free, I had the opportunity to try a friend's Zumba class and she Turned Me Out (AKA: changed my life)! It was a ridiculous kind of sweat during and exhaustion after the class, but I didn't feel like I had exercised. I partied. I was also zonked out for the rest of the day.

Is it cheap to tour about "testing" Zumba Instructors?

The fall has been really great at the Zoo. We take advantage of our Zoo Membership. It was $75 and we have been to the Zoo almost once a week since we got the pass in May. (16 times, less that $5 per visit for all of us).

Today was the piece de resistance. Apple picking.

What a joy! How cool? How fresh and tasty!?

We found Sun High Farms on NJ's Pick Ur Own Directory. We choose it because of the distance from home and being open on the holiday. For free, you could walk around the front of the farm, wading around pumpkins and looking at the live stock and general farm action. It's a working farm and there is a lot to look at.

There is a large Country Store that made me gasp at first sight. It's a huge barn with a warm fire nook that has crayons, paper, puzzles for the Littles to sit and enjoy while you look at the goodies. The Veggie prices were supermarket prices and higher, but the freshness looked amazing. There was a bakery and deli salad case that was so yummy looking that I wish I took a picture.

Then came the apple picking. What an invaluable sight to see my Yummies S & T experiences the orchard. I'll be honest, it was my first time too and I was geeked. S was definitely unsure of why Mommy was dancing about the trees until she picked an apple herself and understood what was happening. The younger trees have branches that are at a perfect level for 2 year old apple pickers.

I walked along picking apples, Adam watching the girls whine about the labor of trudging through the tall grasses at times. They can be little princesesas. Bag full, we walked down the rows of apple trees, through corn and pumpkin patches and more and more apples.

I am amazed at the amount of the fruit that was there. I wonder if it will all make it into someone's mouth. Do you think they feed people with what's not picked or make apple cider vinegar?

What an experience. $13.49 for 9 pounds of Gala's, Fuji's, Whinesap's (never ever even heard of the these) and Red Delicious's. Mouth's watering.

Off to start my pie.

Frugal vs. Cheap

2009-09-15T21:21:00.002-04:00

I pride myself on the bargain. I like to load up on steals and deals, fresh and low cost produce, gas, paper towels, whatever I might need. If I can save a few cents and dollars, I feel very good about buying whatever it is.

But consequentially, I feel awful when my great $Save fails and I end up paying twice, sometimes three times, occasionally four times for something before learning, I was being Cheap.

Precisely why I have to ask myself this question more regularly, am I being Frugal or just Cheap?

Recently, this has been happening a lot and I need to talk about it.

I love Target, they have great things. The foods are a bargain, the clothing can be wonderful, in regards to household bargains and beauty savings, the store has it in the bag.

Kids shoes, not so much. Or at the very least baby’s First Shoes.

I bought several pairs of ill fitting baby shoes, stylish and trendy, with Target’s infamous bright orange stickers that make me go ooo. But, they were all falling off of Little T’s feet every 12 steps.

Finally, I took her to Stride Rite to get fitted for a proper pair of very expense shoes. I am calling them her first pair of walking shoes, even though they are not-because I am proud of the investment. Feet are important, and baby’s feet are even more important.

Lots of money wasted on that one. I could have purchased a second pair of fantastic fitting shoes in another style by now with the money wasted on those shiny sneakers and pink Mary Janes.

Also in my hall of shame, a toilet seat. Yes, I tried to bargain, but one of the most used seats in the house needs an investment. Now we are putting in our fourth toilet seat. It was not cheap.

Ultimately, the less crap I buy, the more high quality, longer life items I can get when I need them.

Lesson learned?

We shall see.

I have a friend who shops for clothing like a Real Simple article. I am so very fond of her ability to get high quality clothes at lower prices and make them last, fashionably. (wink wink Adge).

This topic fascinates me. It doesn’t only apply to “stuff” for me either. More on that another time.

Had any recent Frugal vs. Cheap aha moments?

That crazy Starbucks does it again

2009-09-15T21:13:00.000-04:00

I don’t actually spend a lot of time at Star bucks, but let me tell you. I think I’m going to start. On date night with myself, I went to the coffee spot to do some writing.

Ordering my de-caf iced coffee with caramel for $2.41, I was helped by the lovely cashier who saw my laptop and asked if I would be “hanging out long?” She was very cheery. Unusual for my Starbucks.

“Um, maybe?” I say, confused by bright attitude and smile.

“Well if you do, or come often, you should put some money on a Gift Card. If you do that, you get free internet for two hours a day.”

“Really?!!” I say, shocked and amazed of course, “That’s awesome!”

“Yea, and you get free refills on coffee, iced coffee and iced tea!” she was happy that I matched her excitement.

“No way! With caramel?”

“Yes, your flavoring is free. And if you want Soy, which is usually $.40, its free!”

“Wow, that’s great. Thank you!” I say.

“Not a problem.”

I happily half and halfed my purchase, glancing down at the free coffee grinds bucket. I was pleased to hear this information about the coffee spot because I need the internets.

Panera Bread has free internet but it’s a little further than I would like to drive and causes me to purchase unnecessary carbs. But oh, how I do love their carbs.

Walking outside to get a table, cheery cashier stopped me again and told me that I could refill the coffee I just purchased for $.54. That did it. I’m hooked.

Cheap Eats: Corn & Bean Salad

2009-08-27T15:02:00.005-04:00

This simple and inexpensive side dish recipe is a favorite in our house, thanks Cousin Jerry!

Ingredients:

1 15 oz. can of Black Beans $.99
1 15 oz. can of Kidney Beans $.99
1 15 oz box of Frozen Corn $1.00
1 bunch of Scallions $.67
Olive Oil $.06 (estimated)
Salt (optional)

Open the cans of Beans, drain and rinse.
Don't even thaw the corn, not necessary!
Chop the Scallions
Combine the beans, corn and scallions in a bowl.
Drizzle in Olive Oil while stirring.
Sprinkle on a dash of salt here and there.

This can be served immediately. Chilled or room temperature.

Makes about 6 servings. $.61 per serving.

And it's pretty!

Free Starbucks!

2009-08-07T16:30:00.006-04:00

Ok, it's used Starbucks. But it is still Free, withe a capital REE! I was visiting my local Starbucks one evening for some Passion Fruit iced tea and a table to sit and read and was please to find a Frugal treasure at the
creamer/sugar/garbage bar.

Going to get a napkin, I looked down to see a bucket . It had the word garden written on it in large letters with huge pretty silver bags inside of it that I was almost sure, said Free.

Ooooo! I'll take it! I bent down to confirm the price.

Just to be sure, I asked. "Are those free?" "uh huh," she replied politely. It was such a stupid question, I would have been fine if she aded "dumb ass" to the end of her confirmation. "Can I take a picture?"

"Yea, sure!" she said.

So there you have it.

Free, used, coffee grinds for your garden to enjoy. It turns out that the yummy smelling left over is good for Roses, Hydrangea, Rhodas, house plants, and pretty much any soil that needs some acid. If you compost, it can kick start what's happening in the bin and basically, make life better.

If your Starbucks doesn't have this available, they are supposed to, so it's OK to ask.

It's also OK to as for you to ask for a "to stay" cup if you plan on hanging out there, because while they are doing the "green" thing" with the coffee grinds, their containers are not so friendly. They will also give you 10% off of your purchase. Bonus!

Seen any freebies in your travels?

Hidden Treasure: A little farm in the hood

2009-07-28T19:32:00.009-04:00

I grew up hanging out in Newark. My parents owned a music store on Broad St. in Newark for much of the 70's and 80's. I also have a large number of relatives that lived and still live in town.

I have fond memories of time spent in the Newark Museum looking at the animals (they are still there), meeting Savion Glover at the Newark Public Library, and shopping with my Mother for fabric along Halsey Street. BBQ's and Sunday after-church Soul Food dinners at Aunt Deet's house and the Flea Markets in Washington Park.

Recently, I have been working on eating well and local and started to attend the Newark Urban Farmers Market on Friday's on Clifton Avenue. Last Friday, there were no tomatoes, but there was a young man who said, "We have tomatoes at our farm. Do you know where Lincoln Park is?" I said, "Yea, that's too far," and he shrugged and told me to take a business card anyway.

As I was walking away and reading the card, I noticed the title of the Farm to be Brick City Farmers. Brick City?! That's Newark. Wait a minute!

I turned back to clarify and indeed, the farm is in Newark. Lincoln Park, Newark.

A little farm in Newark: I was so happy to learn about this and made it a point to put it into my food shopping schedule and am I sure glad I did. I found the garden, located in the historic Lincoln Park section of Newark...amongst great big brownstones and little brick red row houses, stands a Farm.

It's called Brick City Urban Farmers on the corner of Spruce st. and Washington Street.

There is not a large table with many varieties to pick from, you have to go in and pick the veggies yourself. Farmer John helped me. Lead me to the best veggies, let me taste the product and just chatted. In the end, I got to pick my own tomatoes, he gave me bunches of lettuce and I got to cut some Eggplants and Green Peppers.

The lot of it cost me $2.00!!! I am all about this place. The leafy greens are on their way out, but there are loads of tomatoes that usually sell for $1.00 a pound. Farmer John was getting the earth boxes ready for cool season veggies like broccoli and cauliflower. Can't wait! The herbs were envious and the beans, long and crisp. The whole place was right up my alley. I was looking for some cucumbers but Farmer John told me Arturo's Pizza in Maplewood bought the whole lot. Lot's of restaurants in the area use the farm, he told me. Nice.

Whats your hood's Hidden Treasure?

Fun, Frugal and/or Free with the Kiddos.

2009-07-23T20:27:00.008-04:00

My friend Marni Getson-Garcia, is the mother of 2 boys, Rocco and Max.

"Rocco is almost 5 and Max is almost 2. Both boys are very energetic and like activities that keep them busy. Rocco is into spongebob, scooby doo, playing sports, drawing, and anything to do with animals," says Marni.

Marni amazes me with the Activity Calendar for the boys. I often get emails from Marni about places she has found to go that are usually free or low cost. I wish I could join the Garcia's for all of them.

Little S & I, got to venture out with Marni and Max recently to the Lyndhurst Sprayground in Lyndhurst, NJ. I called her on the way to find out how much money I needed to get from the MAC (aka ATM). Of course, she said it was free, and even had a plan for a $1.99 lunch for the kids for after we played. Can't beat that.

We had a great time at the Sprayground. It's a great set up with lots of shade, benches and good surface for kids to splash in sprinklers. The kids got along great, best buds in fact and we hope we get to play with them again.

I asked Marni where she found all these great activities like the Sprayground, which is hidden. Like buried treasure. She said "I use a variety of websites, baristakids, funNJ.com and kidsguide.com, plus I use a kid magazine that is free around the area. I'm also on websites for the museums in the area, the local baseball teams and zoos. I look around at posters and postings when I am out to see what's coming next to that park or recreation area."

Marni's kids favorites are the Turtleback Zoo and the Lyndhurst Sprayground. For a rainy day they love Funtime Junction and the family has a great time at every carnival, fair and festival they go to even if it's just eating flavored pickles and walking around Verona Park at the art fair.

We too have been to a few Art fairs since the Spring. Adam and I like to decorate the house in our mind. Great money saver. The Art Fairs are free, free, free and they often have some beautiful, well made and unique things to buy or imagine buying.

Marni added another free find that I want to share. When she tells me, I'll tell you. Marni is also the owner and creative master behind Memories by Marni. Check it out here.

Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it.

xo
Sarah

Garage saleing

2009-07-20T21:09:00.005-04:00

Our little girls like toys. Then they hate them. They received a load of beautiful toys for their birthdays, that have been doled out as needed from their hiding place in the closet in times of need. I am very good about taking away the toys of disinterest, replacing with a new toy or older toy every two weeks. (I put it on my cleaning schedule).

Even so, T is happy with an empty tea box and a jar top and S likes to run from wall to wall. But eventually, they buckle down with their toys...that need replacing and updating.

One of my FAVORITE past times is garage saleing. It should be an adjective, devoid of spell check interrogation, because it is a true American pastime. Pre-children, I would ditch my husband for hours on Saturday mornings, to drive through town(s) looking for the perfect, whatever I needed, within my self imposed $10 budget.

Sitting in the yard this past beautiful Saturday, surrounded by toys of disinterest, I decided to take S on her first garage saleing adventure.

We packed light, money in pocket, 1 diaper, a few wipes and a snack and we were off.

The beauty of taking a 2 year old is they illicit bargains for cuteness. Really. But no, for real, the girl knew exactly what she wanted, which was NOT everything she saw and I bought it for her. For $4.50, I got this stuff and she is in love! I am too. I love that kid, after my own heart.

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

Frugal Book Club: Chapter 1.1

2009-07-20T20:43:00.003-04:00

I tried Chapter 1's principle's for a day or two. I really did try. On Tuesday, I dragged little S all around downtown Newark looking for local fish then got too lost to get to the Urban Farmer's Market in East Orange before closing.

I did get a chance to swing into the Newark Salvation Army Store, where if you are good at Vintage and Re-wear, you would fare well. It's bright, well organized and well staffed. S & I did a swing through the toy section to find nothing, sadly.

On Friday, Adam and I took a date morning and ended it at the Urban Farmers Market on Clifton Ave. in Newark. There were good vendors, but it would be great to see more people, bringing great vendors. I think I may try to hang out there next week. I always like to think that maybe it will be me that can create the buzz.

We got some delicious red leaf lettuce and jersey tomatoes and paired it with fish I got at a farmers market in Belleville. (thanks for the tip Marni) and a Japanese Cucumber from my garden. It was deliciously essential eating.

see cucumber left...

Since then, we have gone for zero based eating and picking up salad ingredients and rotisserie daily. Hardly a savings.

Be it that today is Monday, and usually the best day to start something new. I am actually going to track our cost of eating essentially. The reward is greater than value in this case, but let's go with the numbers anyway.

Today I spent $55 on dry ingredients, poultry and odds and ends at the supermarket.

Dinner was baked chicken and a bean salad.

How do you keep it healthy? and affordable?

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

Big Companies: The things they don't tell you

2009-07-09T10:31:00.002-04:00

I have Verizon Wireless as my cell phone provider. I have been a customer for close to 10 years, generally happy with my service, until recently. I got a new Chocolate phone and upon receipt, the salesperson said "you have free Get it Now for 30 days". Wow! I became a downloading fool and downloaded at last $100 worth of music that was not free onto my new phone. I should have asked more questions about what free meant, lesson learned. I fought the charges and got some taken off, but it put a bad taste in my mouth. Secret keepers!

I am now moving on to AT&T because I want an iphone. I want to have the internet with me at all times, to blog, check my Facebook far too much and to download the milkshake application to show all my friends.

But-I have a Verizon contract. (hear slamming chords on the organ). I call to find out how much it is to cancel. $125 dollars!!!! but, customer service rep then says: "if you can find someone to take over your contract, your don't have to pay the cancellation fee and they don't have to pay the enrollment fee, it's a win win situation" Hell yea it is! But who am I going to find to do that?? Can't hurt to ask. I think i will start with my friend Craig.

I didn't know this and it is a very valuable bit of information that I thought important to share.

It's up there with the fact that Bed Bath & Beyond coupons don't ever expire and you can use up to 5 at one time.

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

Frugal Book Club: Chapter 1

2009-07-07T20:57:00.003-04:00

This months read is going to be: The Only 127 things you need (a guide to life's essentials) by Donna Wilkinson.

I picked this up on yet another date night (with self) at the library. I got a few other frugal and green titles as well, but this "127 things" really peeked my interest.

After the library, I took myself to my favorite park and found a tree with perfect amount of cushiony moss underbutt to read my new collection.

Chapter 1 of 127 things is titled Basics: A healthy body. I know, I know...as I eat my mango and reduced sugar pineapple Rita's water ice that I got for free with my Cool Card. Keep reading...

"The body is the vehicle for awakening and needs to be treated with care" according to some large belly dude called Buddha. He had a point, and I think it's time I start respecting that, didn't he live a long time?

I decided under the tree that I would go home and make a list of all the things I need to eat only essentials. I have heard it before, veggies, vuts and lLegumes, fruits, fish and poultry and healthy oils. I didn't even look at a book to make the list, I know it-but I don't always do it. So what if I did for a week? What if instead of our usually carefully planned menu ladden with potatoes, white rice and maple frosted mini wheats, we ate essentially?

To go along with my new goal to live sustainably, why don't I buy local fruits and veggie and fish and why not walk or bike to get it?!

I am going to work on the food shopping list now, shop next Monday and report back about how it's going. Care to try with me? Where will you shop? What will you drop?

For me, it means no Rita's, grrr and no snacks from the box, Fruits, veggies, nuts and whole grains the whole way. I think I will even bike to the butcher.

Think we will save $$? The normal food shopping/household items budget for our home is $150 per week. That feeds 4 people 3 meals a day for at least 5 days. We rarely eat out and we spend a lot on diapers. I am really anxious to see if it will work for our budget.

Got recipes?

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

Date Morning!

2009-07-06T15:05:00.003-04:00

It seems I am obsessed with dating. I think dates are good for the soul. For the sake of soul searching, we tried the date night child care swap, somewhat. I still owe my friend our half of the deal (wink, wink). I regularly take date night with myself. Lots of fun, I must share more on that. But the NEW trend in our household is Date Morning.

Let's face it, I am tired. By the time the evening comes, the kids have eaten and worn me down. I am not interested in dressing up to go out. Often, it's also harder to get someone to watch the girls in the evening, but the morning...that's a different story.

My lovely Sis volunteered to watched the kiddos while Adam and I took the morning to ourselves. It was luxurious. I was sure to go to bed nice and early to be well rested. We had the advantage of Sister sleeping over so she was there to get the girls out of bed and fed. (Ding ding, bonus bonus!)

Adam and I slept in a bit then, with fresh faces and bright smiles, left the house to have bagels in a park. It was a beautiful day and the park was lovely. For the cost conscience, breakfast is a lot cheaper than dinner.

We also stopped at the mall when it opened to get in and out as soon as humanly possible.

It was 3 hours of bliss, can't wait for the next one.

What are some other advantages of Date Morning?

What to do when a Reusable Bag has has seen it's day...

2009-06-11T08:51:00.004-04:00

I found this article of interest, especially since I do have a couple of "green bags" that have lost the sturdy plastic bottoms or ripped getting yanked out of the closet during the "car is running, got to run inside and grab the green bags" mad dash into the house.

This company re-uses, the re-usable bag!

www.frugalstyle.blogspot.com

Date night with myself

2009-06-09T20:03:00.006-04:00

Adam and I have begun a new tradition of getting a "night off". At first I thought, "I don't need that" and then I did it and I realized I needed it. The first bargain is, no paying a babysitter.

The next great deal is that I bounce as soon as I am done with dinner. No clean up, yay!

I work from home, the kids are at daycare and I see my husband more frequently than anyone on earth because he works 3.5 feet away from me. We get date night every day.

Dates with ourselves happen once a week. He gets Thursdays and he travels to Newark to hang out at Axiom Studios, a place that he web consults for and hosts his Mixtape Sessions radio show from. You should check it out, it's a good time. Since he DJ's another radio show from our shared office on Tuesdays at 2 PM, on Thursdays I get a quiet night.Love my Adam dearly, but I also like silence.

For my night out, I get Tuesday nights. I usually head to the library. I chose this night because I would like to attend my town's council meetings. Tonight, they are off, so I headed to Barnes and Nobles to find picture books four our two year old who scored less than average on her Early Intervention test. She is perfectly wonderful and we are blessed, but I will be darned if I can't improve her score for the next time the Early Interventionists come around.

At B & N, I found a great picture book for $5.99, it has pics of all of our favorite things like clothes, items from around the house, garden and beach vocab for the little learner. I also got an ABC first words book in the bargain section for $4.98.

While there, I did some research for the juvenile fiction novel I am writing to discover that B & N did not carry what I wanted OR the Babysitters Club Series. Appalling. I would have to special order, then take the trip back out to the store to get it! Nah. There are a lot of other series like iCarly and Goosebumps, Nancy Drew didn't get slashed, but no Stacey and Claudia and the conservative one, cant remember her name.

I decided to get Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by my favorite author Judy Blume for my lovely niece to take on her summer vacation. I am sure she will love it, and if so: I will check the rest of the books from the series out of the Library for her, just like I checked out Book #1 of the great Babysitters Club, Kristy's Great Idea. Good old quality young adult fiction, footsteps from my front door and free. That's where I am now, second stop of the date.

In addition I got some parenting books. Potty Training for Dummy's, The Happiest Toddler on the Block, and Not Much, Just Chillin'-the hidden lives of middle schoolers (research).

I have an hour left on my date but thought it important to share the frugal joys of the library. It's quiet, they have good books and DVDs. I am sitting next to great choices like the entire first season of Weeds, We are Marshall and Walk the Line (I am by the W's).

I'm also going to return my latest trashy book on CD that I listened to on my long ride to Princeton a couple of weeks ago, One Fifth Avenue.

One more thing about this lovely place called the library: In Bloomfield, we are a part of an inter library system that allows you to order ANYTHING from within the system of 74 other libraries in NJ and it gets delivered here to Bloomfield for me to pick up. Takes 3 days, often less, it's free and it's for me.

Seeds are cheap and mulch is free

2009-05-16T13:58:00.010-04:00

Mid May is here...normally, I would be running to the garden store to stock up on Annuals, happily putting the instant satisfaction into my containers. Not this year. I opted for seeds instead. Lots less money, not instant, but mega satisfaction.

I started with some seeds in my most favorite containers on the front steps then added a few annuals for fun. In the past I have spent $150 bucks on annuals, this year, I spent $30 on seedlings and $15 on seeds.

I got into the flow of seed planting. It can't be done all at once, especially if the seeds are being planted directly in the ground.

Starting May 1st, about every 2 days, I picked an area and started seeding. I charted my seeds into a garden sketch so I would know what seeds were where, because seeds need more nurturing and attention and something called thinning.

Most of my seeds are now sprouting and it is now time for thinning. Another layer of satisfying time spent in the garden.

An important task in a garden that is not compact with perennials and ground cover to keep the ground ~~mois~~t wet is mulching. Mulch is pricey. I scoured my friend Craigslist to find FREE mulch. I went to a strangers house and loaded up the truck with the mulch in their driveway and spread this stuff out and now have a beautifully mulched and frugally stylish front lawn.

Of course, the most economical plant is the perennial, because when planted in the right conditions, will come back every year to satisfy.

Learned a tip from an Ornamental Horticulturist last week: Go to the Garden Center every two weeks and buy the Perennial that catches your eye and plant it. The next year, you will have new budding and variety in the garden every two weeks all year long. Pretty good tip. Thanks Jay.

My garden is shaping up nicely. More pics coming soon!

Empandas! ay! ay! ay!

2009-05-12T08:52:00.008-04:00

They are not quick, but they are cheap, and my 10 year old brother can make them.

Empanadas are a favorite around here. The recipe produces a lot and lasts very well as a left over...if they make it to the next day.

The key to the real tastiness of the Empanada is the seasoning. I always start with the base of Sofrito. If we are going to see each other, let me know and I will bring you some. Otherwise, you can make your own Sofrito which is great in soups and stews, rice dishes and as a meat seasoning.

Empanada Ingredients:

In a pot, add Olive Oil and Sofrito, simmer for a minute, thenvadd Ground Meat/Turkey and brown it
Add Tomato Sauce and water
Stir
Add Sazon
Then! "Sprinkle the Adobo from one side of the pot to the other, Stir...Sprinkle it again" said my delicious Mother in Law, my Master Chef of Spanish Foods.
Add the sweet potato and boil until sweet potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes
Prep the Discos according to the package.
Spoon the mixture into one half of the discos, fold the Discos over into a half moon and use a fork to seal the discos, using the prongs to make dents around the edge
Lay them onto a cookie sheet and spray with Pam or Olive Oil Spray

Cost Analysis:
Olive Oil .10
2 tablespoons of Sofrito .20
1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey 2.99
1 8 oz. Can of Tomato sauce .45
8 oz. of water (use the tomato can) Basically Free
1 packet of Sazon .15
Adobo (amount to come later) .03
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed small .50
Large Orange Discos (available in the Ethnic Frozen Grocery Section of your food store-sometimes) 1.89
Pam Spray .15
Total: $6.43 makes 10 Empanadas, aight!!

Frugal Delicioso! Serve with Rice & String Beans or nothing at all.

Get out the house! Rainy Day Edition

2009-05-01T20:56:00.006-04:00

The forecast for Saturday is rain. We just had the most beautiful weather during the week whilst we had to work, and now, with the kiddies home full-time, rain!

I can't fret....we just have to get out of the house.

We are headed to The Jersey Explorer Childrens Museum, a few minutes away in our neighboring East Orange.

We went on another rainy Saturday and were collectively extremely pleased with our visit. For starters, we were amongst very few other patrons. I would imagine because people just don't know, that's why I'm telling! For real. This place is the shizz for the following reasons:

It's free for kids under 2
It's cheap for kids over two
Big People A.K.A adults are FREE
Most of the staff is lovely

The highlight for our family had to be the Grocery Store and the Diner. Looking forward to seeing if they remain a big hit tomorrow. Bring snacks, and/or lunch.

Gardening again!

2009-04-28T21:32:00.005-04:00

With the garage organized and the recent beautiful weather, I am back outside gardening again. I am trying to do the garden on the really cheap this year, really really cheap. I usually spend too much, yielding very little. I have a vision of what I want: lush, colorful, comfortable and easy. Can't have it all, just yet. It takes work, which I love to put in. If it paid, I would do it all day.

As one cheap alternative, I came across a cool article about $25 vegetable gardens. I think I may try it.

To make the garden comfy, one may think toys and trellises and benches. Garden toys are expensive, so I built a free garden toy. A bamboo tent made from materials collected from around the way. I got the Bamboo from the dead bamboo pile at Rutgers Gardens. The Willow woven in between the bamboo poles was a gift from the people in charge there. It was pruned from a tree and bound for the chipper. The string to tie it in place was from the people who lived in our house before us. 4 year old string! Thanks Santiagoses!

I now have to plant some vine seeds to cover the tent.

Another way to garden really frugally is to do it with seeds. I found seed packs at the dollar store, 10 packs for a $1. I got $3 worth of packets. I am going to plant them ALL on Friday and see how it goes. I have been standing in front of my perennials a lot imagining a outpour of colorful annuals that only I know cost $3.21.

Our older little love "S" is taking after me digging in the dirt and moving planters from one location to the next. For some reason, she gets that she shouldn't pull the strawberries I just planted out of their pots. Good girl!

Turkey Spinach Pizza

2009-04-15T21:35:00.005-04:00

I am always on the look-out for good, inexpensive but savory meals to make for dinner.

One favorite is a take on a Rachel Rays 30 Minute Spanikopizza, which in the end, as most of Rach's meals do, adds up to mucho dinero.

I have altered the recipe a bit, removed the the roasted red peppers and cheese because it makes us ill. Add those back in if you would like.

Here goes:

5 drizzles of olive oil divided,$.15
2 pats of butter, $.08
1 pound or a little more of ground turkey, $2.99
1 red onion chopped, $.25
6 cloves of garlic minced, $.12
A palm full of Seasoning, I love Montreal Steak by McCormick, its very versatile $.05
1 large can of olives $.99
Pizza Crust $.99 (Trader Joes!!! 5 varieties, all $.99, unreal)
A few pinches of Italian Seasonings
1 package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed, $1.00

Put 2 drizzles of olive oil & the butter into a heated pan, add turkey and brown.
Meanwhile, lay out the pizza crust and drizzle olive oil and Italian seasonings like oregano and basil flakes.
Brown in the oven for 10 minutes at the directed temperature for a crispy crust.
Add the onion, garlic and seasoning to the turkey.
Add the spinach and heat through
Remove the crust from the oven and put the turkey mixture on top
Top with chopped black olives and bake for 20 minutes.

Voila! 8 small servings, 6 larger, approximately $1.00-$1.50 per serving!

Recycling Bags Saves $$ and Planet

2009-04-13T10:02:00.003-04:00

I started shopping at Stop and Shop four years ago when we moved into our new house.

I love Stop and Shop now for a number of reasons. It's clean, the people who work there greet me by name, they have good 10 for $10 deals...and BEST of all, they give me $.05 for every bag I bring in to bag up my compra. They accept any bag as reusable, but I love what I call "green bags", AKA, reusable canvas shopping bags. I bought my first set at Stop and Shop a couple of years ago. Their green bags are cute, they are actually green, they cost $.99 each and will be paid off after 20 visits. Stop and Shop pays ME to use them. That's 2 months of shopping and the bag has paid for itself. The bags holds 4 times what a plastic bag can with strong handles that are comfortable on the shoulder.

It took some practice bringing those bags shopping with me. I started with 3 and my collection has grown to a number of green bags which actually come in red (target), purple (a work conference), white (staples) and black with monarch butterflies (toy's r us). Greens bags are totally in trend now as well. I overheard a woman at the Trader Joes telling her friend of the ridicule she got for not having green bags with her at the store. Her friend laughed. I snickered. If you can make it happen, its a nice thing to do...ridicule? Not so much.

Trader Joes has a perk, if you bring your own bag, you can enter a raffle to win free groceries. I bring my green bags there and enter every time, even if I buy a power bar. No win yet, but I am hopeful.The other perk to Stop and Shop is they collect plastic bags. They have a bin and you can put your plastic bags in it.

I love reducing my carbon footprint in anyway I can. So it's become a bit of an obsession for me, and here is what I have collected in plastics, to take to the plastic recycling bin in one week. Sick.

Here is what can be recycled. I take a bag of collected bags to me each week to Stop and Shop. And if I forget my green bags, I use the recycled plastic bags and save some change.

Out in the Yard

2009-04-09T16:20:00.006-04:00

One of my first Frugal Style entries, early in my bloglife, was inspired by my goal of creating a backyard oasis on a budget. I didn't get that far that summer, giving up due to lack of funds and high heat. Fear not, the dream is still there. A bountiful garden and place to relax in the yard of my house keep appearing in all visions of the future and fantasies that I have (not sexual, get yer head out the gutter).

I am giving myself a BIG push in the pants to get going again because it is so good for me. I love being outside. I love it! I need to be out as much as possible, as often as possible. If I could work outside at all times, I might. Except in sweltering heat and frigid cold of course.

I got started again, on the garden vision, by organizing my garage. There is so much happening there, and the lack of ability to see what I have and need to get to meet my goal is impaired by the chaos.

I took some time over the last two days to get that together. I purged and labeled, made lists and categorized. I used only what I had on hand to do this, making a list of the additional storage items I may need at a later date. With some careful thought, it wasn't much. For now, I will use some cool shaped boxes from Costco.

I organized my gardening gear as well. I laid it all out so I could see what I was working with and created a nice work table.

It's a start.

It felt a little like punishment when I first started. Missing the sun and warmth of the lawn just outside of the garage was tough, but I just stepped out into the heat every once in a while. This purge and day of organizing made me feel successful. The rewards are saving time from not having to search, avoiding duplicated purchases and making more space! Frugal indeed.

Run In's with my Vision Board

2009-03-25T22:26:00.008-04:00

Life coaching session #2 went well. Amy is like a good friend who is not afraid to ask the tough questions. I need that. She is holding me accountable and actually assisting me in becoming a better me.

My sister does that for me too. She is very spiritual, holistic and in the eyes of goodness. In December of 2007, she had me and our then 8 year old brother meditate on what we would do if we "couldn't fail". Then we did Mudra's and cut out what was seen as the visions of the meditation from my old copies of Real Simple and Everyday with Rachel Ray.

Over some soft music with glue sticks and large poster board, we collaged, like I did in Middle School. The major difference was that instead of cutting out name brands and pics of things with brand names (weren't you totally into Bennetton and Swatch-80's Ad's rocked) I was cutting out my vision for success. We then had to present our boards to each other. In the end, the board went up on my wall in the office. Initially reminding me of my 8th grade bedroom, laden with River Phoenix posters. I referred to the Board, perched over my work place. When my mind wandered, or I worried, I looked at it. I was skeptical but kept the board up for a year.

I have to hone up to the fact that much of what I cut out for my future came to fruition in one way or another. I had cut out a picture of the back of a child, his right arm wrapped around a golden retriever. In 2008, I started a vacation day camp for kids, and had a short lived career in dog food making. I didn't keep up with the Doggy Food, but I had fun and got a spot on a stage production of "What's my line?" and a website. I worked at a Gourmet Pet Shop and had some personal clients with paws.

As I work and Blog, I look at my newest vision board and smile at the things that have already happened for me, just because I had a vision. Words that I am currently looking at and have gratitude for:

"your next big venture," "leadership that inspires," "adventures in composting," "visualize success," "I've got an assignment for you".

The list goes on...I feel the words and pictures starting to take shape in my life.

Vision Boards:

What a nice, inexpensive way to fill yourself up: Visualize Success!

How to do it:

Get some old mags, scissors, glue and a piece of large paper.
Get quiet and meditate on something positive. Use my sisters "what would you do if you couldn't fail?". I have used it for two boards, seems to work.
Start cutting out the words and pictures that answer the meditated question.
Put the finished project in a place that you can see.
Share it with someone.
Pass on the experience.

Things to note:

Make as many boards as you would like
It can take a long or little time to see things start to happen
Some things you choose may not make sense at the time you choose it

Enjoy!

Frugal Blog Link

2009-03-24T15:52:00.002-04:00

I am always on the look out for interesting articles to assist me in my quest to save and reduce my impact. Found a cool one here at Yahoo.

Clothes Shopping

2009-03-23T15:53:00.006-04:00

This weekend I had the pleasure of a work trip to Atlantic City. Free room and board at a nice hotel, what more can a girl ask for? Outlets!

Atlantic City has a bevy of outlets. I was alone, so I could take the time needed to find the best deals. I concentrated on the kids and a pair of shoes for myself. Setting a limit on the purchase helped me curb my shopping appetite, which was big.

I got S. a nice spring mix of t-shirts, jean skirt and jeans for under $30. I also got myself a pair of black Chuck Taylor's, philanthropic style. My sneaks were marked down and a portion of the purchase went to help in AIDS activism on the continent of Africa. It was a true feel good purchase.

Converse are not the cheap sneaker of my youth any longer. A simple pair is over $40, even at the "outlet".

This Frulanthropic purchase got me thinking about other ways to shop for goods that could be socially conscience while saving some dollars. The obvious are the pink and red purchases for AIDS and Breast Cancer which are great but there are also Church Thrift Shops, Rummage Sales for Benefits, and Tricky Trays. I am going to make effort to purchase more green as well as more helpful. It's important to me.

Looking at the Converse on my feet is taking me back to another, simpler time.
I am also more nostalgic now that the 80's has come to haunt our closets again. Got me thinking, wouldn't it be economically advantageous to shop the styles at a thrift shop or Goodwill where the items are authentically 80's and the cash goes to Assisting others?

I was astounded when I saw acid wash jeans, frayed and cut off at the knee with a small thin roll at the bottom on the rack at Target for $29. I think I can achieve the same look for $2.90, if I wanted to wear acid wash.

It does remind me of when Acid Wash first came out and I begged my mother for a pair. She thought it was silly to pay whatever the price was at the time and told me to go get a pair of jeans and some bleach. Together, we laid the jeans in the tub and splattered bleach on the jeans as I silently cried about how ridiculous I was going to look in the acid wash knock off's laying in the tub, making a stain I was required to clean.

I wore them to school and was cracked on...until months later, when I watched my knock off style on more people, but bought off the racks. My mom was onto something, as she usually was and she was my protege in a the concept of Frugal Style. I think she would agree with me about the $2.90 and tell me to save it and go get a bottle of bleach.

Cheap ways to "fill yourself up"

2009-03-19T15:44:00.005-04:00

I have acquired a life coach. The first 10 sessions are free, thanks to the fact that my life coach, Amy is a student, and is building her portfolio (frugal find). We must have the conversation about what happens after my 10 free sessions, but I think she will be worth it because in one "discovery session", I have made some significant improvements to my life.

She started by sending me a visualization .wav file. I knew I had to listen to it so I checked out how long it was and planned on doing the excersie right before we spoke. I called into a free phone conference number and Amy and I connected instantly. Amy said, "Sarah, It sounds like you do a lot, but what do you do to fill yourself up?.

Sitting on my couch, with work papers astrewn, trying to relax into the conversation with music pumping above from Adam's radio show and a cat crawling all over me, could not think of one thing.

"I know what I'd like to do" I finally replied. The list is long. Reading, gardening, walking, writing, etc. She asked me when I got to do those things, and I sadly gave a whispered, "never".

Since she is very wise (life coaches tend to be) she encouraged me to take 30 mintes at least 3 times this week to do something that I enjoy. It was like I was given permision to rule the world, I was told to check in to let her know the first time I do it and we parted ways.

That night, I skipped out after bedtime for S & T, paid my exorbinant library fins with canned goods for the Food for Fines program, and checked out two books on CD. Christopher Ciccone's book and a steamy fiction lose-yourself-in-the-drama book. The very next day, thinking of my call to charge, I luxurieated on a lunch break in the sun at the garden and listened to my book on CD in pure bliss as I drove 4 hours round trip for work, I am a happy lamb.

It was pretty simple, for no cost, I feel better, I feel half full.

Some of the other things I am going to practice doing for 30 minutes at a time will be,
Writing in my blog
A concentrated time spent Researching the things I love on line
Volunteering
Being a visionary for myself
Talking with a friend
Walking with a friend (we can talk too)
Doing a face mask while in the tub
Going to the library
Stretching

Here are some things people I know do: They haven't said it to me directly, but I am pretty sure it fills them up:

DJ an online radio show
Meditate
Read
Craft
Write
Loving family

Finished writing, breathing deeply and feeling my meter rise...

Date Night

2009-03-16T13:18:00.002-04:00

With two kids, a night on the town is much more expensive that it was before our Little Loves came along. To help alleviate the additional $60-$80 a night out could cost, friends and I have agreed to Date Night Swap.

The first plan of swapping happened very quickly as the other couple was just as eager as we were about a night out. On Monday afternoon we arranged to swap child care for 4 hours each. Friday S & T would go to Friends house, Saturday nights, Friends would bring their cuties over for 240 minutes of marital bliss.

In my head, I ran through what types of things we could do. We should go eat. Maybe hike? Too dark. Movies? Yes, dinner and a movie. I was so excited about a dinner and a movie that the week went quickly by as I looked forward to some QT with Adam. After a long and busy week, by Date Night I was so tired that I wondered if it would be wrong to drop the kids, go back home and sleep. We could do whatever we wanted, as long as it was within the time frame.

Plans in place, we organized for the girls to go to Friends house. We picked them up early from kiddie world, diaper bag packed and ready for all curve balls that could come Friends way while they watched our babies. Gettingthem settled into Friends house went smoothly for S . She was is super comfirtable right away and Friends cuties were as welcoming and kind as could be. Bye! Run down steps and out of Apartment building. I jumped off the stoop, doing a jump heel touch to the left.

We run away from Friends house, hand in hand. We weren't pushing acarriage or holding S close to cross the street, just Me and A. Aaaaw. What do we talk about? Those friggin kids!

After a little indecision because we had planned so hard for the girls that we never talked about we wanted to do, we went to a local bar for drinks. The movies don't start at any time that is convenient for our lives, we stay close, also concered for Friend watching four kids, oneof which, our Little T-was quite needy that night.

The date ended early because T needed to get home to sleep but we were elated to have had the hour alone, $20 and two beers later, feeling a fresh love for each other. Feeling content. Thanks Friend, looking forward to returning the favor.

Got me thinking about all of the other things that could be Swapped....what a $$ saver!

Soup Party 09?

Making Baby Food

2009-03-09T12:03:00.007-04:00

We have two lovely baby girls. Both are lactose intolerant, like my husband and I. Both require soy products, which are pricey. To save some $$ and because I like to cook, I make my own baby food for Tam Tam, our 9 month old. Many people do it, I got my tips from a girlfriend.

I make food twice a week, mostly while doing other things like eating breakfast or reading a magazine. Tam Tam's schedule goes like this:
9 AM Fruit with Rice
12 PM Orange Veggie
3 PM Fruit with Oatmeal
6 PM Green Veggie

Tam Tam likes the basics, apples, pears, bananas, peaches, blueberries and mango. For Orange we do Sweet potato, butternut squash and carrots. Greens are peas, broccoli, spinach and avocado.

Tools needed:
Steamer
Blender
Ice Cube Trays (check the oz. measurement, we use 1 oz cube trays)
Freezer zipper bags
Ladle

Steps
1. Wash, peel, chop, de-pit, etc. fruit and veggies
2. Steam for 10 minutes
3. Transfer to Blender and add a ladle or two of the pot water (it has all of the nutrients and is sterile from boiling)
4. Puree while peeling or chopping the next food item (save time)
5. Transfer pureed food to ice cube trays and freeze
6. Pop out frozen cubes into freezer bags and label
7. Pull out needed cubes for each meal.

Tam goes to daycare so I got some take and toss containers (we don't toss) and told the ladies the two fruit meals will be in the same color containers and the Orange Veggie is the odd color. They mix in the Rice or Oats. Voila!

Estimated Savings:
One 3.5 oz baby food jar=1 or two servings=$0.75

I buy fruit at the indoor farmers market
The prices there are unreal.
A piece of fruit, which is two servings of baby food pureed with water is $0.20 or less at times, the math with the fresh stuff shifts so much.

I also buy frozen foods to puree.
The math there is easy.

16 oz of frozen peas yields 20 oz. of pureed babyfood (with water)

$1.50 bag=$.075 per oz.

Tam eats 4 oz. =$0.30 per serving

SAVINGS: $0.16 per serving....pennies add up.
I heard about a kid who saved 1, 000,000,000 pennies. That's $10,000 and he did it in two years.

If I were to save pennies based on baby food jars not purchased, I could do the same in 7 years. Yes, she will be off babyfood, but the point is, pennies are important. There is little negative environmental impact with this too because you skip the glass jars and can compost the peelings. I recycle the freezer bags.

The math is challenging per savings because different foods need different amounts of water, but overall, Tam Tam loves it and I love doing things for Tam Tam.

Meeting new people is good for you

2009-03-03T20:55:00.003-05:00

I spent some time with a new friend Erika. In a few minutes of chatter long after four quiet hours sitting next to each other at a meeting, we realized we have have a lot in common.

Thanks Erika, meeting you has pushed me to get back to my goal of writing and sharing and talking about stuff...with people other than my husband. Bear with me, as kooky as my writing and actions can be. (re: reusing a Panera Bread Bowl is strictly up to you, even though I gauruntee it is frugal, stylish is how you do it...best for those with good breadbowl purses). I started the blog because I want to talk about doing fun stuff with your friends, partners, kids and families-for yourself, on a budget. I love to discuss deals and finds and love a budget-a tight one.

It's been far too long, and typing feels good. Cheers! To Erika!

Since July, things have changed a lot in our household. We took a class to become Foster Parents, which we affectionately called baby class. What a cheap date. For no $$ we spent every Wednesday night and Saturday morning together, meeting people and learning something. They served great breakfast too. I was sad when our baby class was over in November because we wouldn't get anymore free hot bagesls. I also was going to miss the women who taught the class and my foster family friends, and the time spent talking to my husband about parenting and our future on such a regular basis. Must keep in mind to have a date soon.

For the rest of November and December, I panicked as we got the house ready for whomever the State were going to send our way. I was sure we were going to get a call on Christmas Eve to go to a hospital and pick up a newborn, but it happened much differently.

They called on December 26th with two sisters, a 2 year old and a 1 year old. How could we resist? We set off to Target on the "second" Black Friday of the year after successfully avoiding the first Black Friday to get goodies for our new cuties. Well, there goes our introduction to the system. S & T (names omitted to protect identity) were only 6 months and 19 months when they arrived, two tiny sleeping bundles ushed into our living room in car seats. None of the things we frantically purchased at Target fit.

The next few days were spent loving on the girls and scrambling to get the house up to speed for our cuties-and man, did they have needs. We did have a crib and a pack and play from our dear friend Jennie's mother Joanne (thank you). We didn't have much else, some boys clothes I got at a clothing swap...and patience.

Friends came to the rescue beyond imagination. I never knew this pay it forward mommydom existed. People don't really talk about it. You have to be down.

We got some items that saved us those first few days of trying to establish who the girls were and what would make them comfortable. These wonderful things included an excersaucer shaped like a VW-beyond cool, a little table that is perfectly sized for S to eat snackies of frozen peas and halved grapes. One piece sleepers that were perfect for being in the house for a week and FOOD! I lost 14 pounds the first two weeks in January, but God love Adriane for feeding me. We must bring food to new mommies. Simple things like cold cuts, bread and fruit bowls, I didn't know before, now I know. A booster chair and sippy cup, burpies and teethers, diapers!! Thank you mommies, you saved us and helped get our two little loves very comfortable. They feel your love.

Initially, S & T slept in our room and we slept in the guest room. We slept in the guest room during the winter anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Moving them out of our room was.

First we had to get it ready. Getting their room together was a fun frugal shopping experience.

The White Crib: $50 on craigslist, with brand new Sealy baby mattress

The Brown Crib & Dresser: DYFS, the state has nice taste
The Rug: $20 at Target.
Decals: $9 at Target
Changing Table: $14 at the Goodwill
Shelf: $15 at the Goodwill

Tomorrow, I am going to a friends to meet her new baby and look in her "bins". I am very excited and going to stop at the Deli.

Update: Don't ask new mommy if she wants something, get it anyway.

Penny for Penny, shop where you want to

2008-07-22T15:30:00.000-04:00

I have long been debating the price difference between my local Supermarket, Stop & Shop and towns other major market, Shoprite. I have had numerous discussions with people comparing the two. For me, Stop & Shop is closer to my house. I was once a faithful Shopriter, I had the price club card, and I was into triple coupons and the Can Can sale.

Since we moved across town, I have had to acclimate to the new store, Stop & Shop. The transition pain was brief and I have come to love my store. The rare opportunities I have my husband with me in the store, he comments on how employees say hello to me, a sign of a good place to shop. The bakery section is killer and they have the 10 for $10 deals on great items. Our favorites being the frozen pizza's, breakfast sausage and frozen veggies. There was once a 10 for $10 sale on "green" light bulbs and for every 10 I purchased, I got a free reusable bag (the best things ever!). Seriously, that is a major deal and far makes up for some of the outrageous prices they have on other items.

I promoted the hell out of this sale, even buying friends a bunch as a gift for their new baby. Babies cost money, can't hurt to save on the light bill ;) So I came to love S&S.

Sipping my morning coffee, I saw that the price of grocery was going up...steadily, mostly due to the increase in cost of corn.

Going back to my price comparison debate in my head, I figured, since the fridge was getting low, why not test out the other market again.

First, I headed to my newly discovered farmer's market; it is open all year, it's indoors and has really good prices and fresh stuff (not all of it though, got to scan more than usual). I spent $17 there on a cart full of fruits and veggies. My new thing is spinach sautéed in garlic and olive oil. The peaches are sick prices too because they are in season. I recommend finding a reliable market and shopping there for all produce.

After the market, I was off to Shoprite. Well! The produce... PRETTY, and expensive. I compared my whole farmer's market shop, it was double. The meat was a better price for our staple, ground turkey. But really, besides the Can Can deals, it was a few cents here and there. I hardly think it is worth the gas to get a few deals here and there. The excursion to see if there was really a difference was worth it. I am going to continue to shop close to home. Now my friend, she did the same thing and the newer market saved her tons. You got to do the leg work to figure is out sometimes.

Speaking of leg work, I am walking and writing down what I eat, the newest way to lose weight according to all the news sources. They didn't bother mentioning the people who have been writing it down forever.

I was going to buy a cute pad for this, but decided a word document would work just as well.

Another savings!

Summer is flying...things are on an upswing

2008-07-20T20:47:00.001-04:00

So it is past mid July, things are starting to go on sale, and for some wonderful blessing, there seems to be a little reprieve on our budget. Hubbies part time job is helping tremendously, making me feel less uncomfortable about tooling around. That is actually being hard on myself, I have hardly been tooling.

At the end of June, I went away to summer camp. If you were ever a camp person and were lucky enough to stay in touch, going back to "work" for a week or a few days can be an excellent budget friendly vacation.

I happen to be very close with my altea aestivus's assistant Director. With her help and guidance, I became the one-week specialty camp Directors, which meant I had to oversee specialized activities in the morning. In the afternoon, I did relaxing camp -like activities like swim in the lake, ride a horse and take siesta. I got paid for the gig, very well too. I was actually able to be of great assistance and left with a feeling of great renewal, like I was on vacation. The memory making and playing will stick with me throughout the year for sure. Always an indicator of a great escape.

Unfortunately, I left camp with a major sinus infection, went to the Immedicenter, which after calling around to a few medical offices was the best deal. I learned from the doctor there that the best prices on non-insurance prescriptions is Costco. $11 for a weeks worth of "Thank God I had the money to pay for this"....antibiotics. Ifelt great at the end, anxious to get back to life.
Then I hurt by back, and this time, worked it out sans doctor.

Over 2 weeks later, I am still catious becayse there is nothing worse than being laid up with a hurt back, well there is, but anyway.

Becaue it is important to be mindful that back injury and weight are related in some way, I do think that there are many more things I can do on my own, without medical advice that I have already paid for to make myself healthier. I need to exercise more...and it is free, walks in the park, swimming at my dad's pool, riding my bike, its possible, I just need to do it more, and sweat a lot more.

I think that losing a significant amount of weight will really save us money. For a great number of reasons. Maybe I know will publicly challenge myself to get this done, because there is nothing wrong with being frugal for your health. Which WILL ultimately end up being very stylish, which is what I hope to share with whomever cares to read my ramblings.

So it is July 20th...I vow to ride my bike to the supermarket if I need something extra, to save gas AND burn calories. I also vow to walk for 45 minutes instead of 30 at least 4 times a week, and I vow not to buy any snacks. They add up in more ways than cents!

2 Weeks! what has happened?

2008-06-15T19:30:00.000-04:00

Since I last wrote? A lot of time has flown by and the purse strings have tightened. The gas prices are soaring with no end in sight and we do not have a steady stream of income. I would say we are living...on...the edge....brang brong braaaang! (the organ plays).

The list of what we have to give up is growing. But do we reaaally need food? We do need less of it. So saving money has meant losing weight. I have had 45 pounds I have been wanting to shed. I think I can make this poor thing/weight loss initiative work.

I know for sure that to do this well, I am going to have to put together some low cost meals that are healthy. veggies galore. I am going to have to find creative ways to exercise that cost nothing. no gym. I am going to have to remember that putting those cookies in the cart is going to bust the budget AND the zipper.

It is going to be work. My friend Michelle is a stay at home super mother and she has made her job "the gym". I am ridiculously impressed by this. I do not enjoy exercise. But, nothing will come of the initiative if I don't put in some effort. We quit the gym a while ago so the open air is my workout space. Walking saves my ass and the gas, i just have to make the effort to do it regularly. I think I will make it my part time job.

So far I have been pretty committed to cuttinback. I have stopped buying water bottles which is dually positive because doing so can lessen our carbon footprint and because the bottles cause cancer.

I like this minimalist approach. Currently it is very chic and productive.

It is very chic to fit in workouts everyday. I feel cool just saying it. "I just came from a good walk in the park" , exhale and feel no worries, "it was beautiful out" exhale again and smile.
It is very chic to eat well and use less a It feels great to fit all of the healthy food into eco friendly grocery bags and walk home.

1 cheap recipe://corn & pepper salad
1 red pepper
1 box of corn
1 bunch of cinlatro
salt and pepper
How to: in some olive oil sautée corn and pepper. Add salt, pepper and chopped cilantro to taste.

$3.00 or less, serves 4

frugally yours,
cheap chic Sarah

Garden Update...and some other ramblings

2008-06-01T16:28:00.000-04:00

So I waited a little too long to put the eco-friendly planters in the ground. Between the weather switching rapidly from hot to cold and the cats getting their licks on the seedlings...I had very few seedlings to transfer to the ground. 75 newspaper planters and peatmoss pods turned to about 40. Not bad...except there was a lot of mold and lack of watering on my part. All to say, it was not so successful.

In this time period from the moment I started the project and my blogging today, I leaned a lot about myself. Like the fact that I like to start projects and rarely follow through to the end. And that I like to try new things but don't want to expertise in anything, adding to the lack of completion.

Another example, I have wanted to start about 20 different kinds of blogs. This is my first (not counting myspace) and this is my 3rd post in over a year. Pretty good considering I am a slacker. I got mad after my second post mysteriously erased and gave up. But I came back!

Why I started this blog:
Part of frugal style for me is having to entertain myself without a lot of money. One of the things I do love to do is write. Not having money to go out shopping, to get nails done, etc. is cause for lots of opportunities to write and I think I am getting better at taking advantage of these broke times.

I have this here blog, a few short stories, some sitcoms, some autobiography, some creative fiction, a potential screen play. The moments of writing flow came very slowly when I first left my job. They moments come more often now.

Another reason for the blog:
Not having money sucks. I know that some people have absolutely nothing, no clothes on their backs, no place to live...I am well aware that in comparison to those scenarios, I am truly blessed (as I sit on my HP laptop in my house) and I have a current homeless family member and others in the past. I know broke.

But for reals, not having as much money as you used to and changing your lifestyle to reflect the change is a challenge. To cope, we have gone through our expenses and cut back on the fringe as much as possible. Reducing cable channels, deferring student loans, skipping the clubs and restaurants and movies...not having any fun as my husband says :) and things are ok.

There are points of panic as well. Where we both go, oh crap. we have to get jobs on weekly basis and I have remind myself, But we HAVE JOBS! rather untraditional, but we are not the only people doing this.

We wonder if people are concerned for us. Most people ask us about insurance. I am sorry to tell you folks I lie about having it so I don't scare my loved ones. Its unfortunate, and I feel bad. In fact a major goal of mine to is get benefits asap! I know the deal and its not a good place to be. We are not the first people.

Back to the lighter side:
The plants did not all make it. The squirrels ravaged the seedling that did make it to the ground. I frugally planted some herb seeds (basil because it's easy and cilantro because we use a lot of it. ) and I purchased some lettuces and tomato plants so that at least I could save some money on food. The flowers, look pretty. I just have to keep them watered so they last. I ended up buying about a 1/4 of the plants i used to buy from the garden center so that at least i had something to plant. I bought a good hose because i was trying to save a buck and ended up getting a crap hose. (sometimes being frugal does NOT pay off, how does that saying go?)

I also caged the plants using some chicken coop caging I got at the store. That project was a challenge but SAVED a TON:
Normal cages are about $5-$10 each. I made my own and spent $2.00 per cage.

Now, I just have to keep up on watering.I would rather not waste water so I am going to start to collect and use rain water in the planters.

bye for now...
a frugal chic

A year later...eco friendly planting on a budget

2008-04-13T19:37:00.000-04:00

April 13, 2008

I spent Friday morning, cleaning up the yard and garage. I love spring and flowers. Today, I am in the garage. One of the things I really loved about this house was the opportunity to grow things. The woman living here before us had mad skills in the gardening department and the place looked tight when she was running things. Here I come. I got a book and tried my mediocre best. I was determined though and each year spent a pretty penny on plants and tools, trying to make it work. It would always work but I would get tired from working all day, it would be too hot out, etc and by early season, no more garden.

I want a garden this year and now have the time. As the gas prices sky rocket, the school season is ending and my income is not steady, buying too much for the garden is not a good idea, but, I love it and I want to do it again.

I went to a free garden expo last Friday with Auntie and learned to make seed starter pots from newspaper. It is a project that is cheap and green, one of my favorite combinations. Basically, you need an 8 oz can, scissors, a glue stick and newspaper.

Cut the newspaper into strips that are a little thicker than the width of the can.
Using two layers, wrap the newspaper around the can.
Tuck in open side of the paper to make a cup.
Pull the paper off and fill the paper cup with potting soil.

This is fantastic! So inexpensive. I am going to start my own seeds!

I picked a few seed packs of plants that I thought I would like. I also got some free seeds from the gardening expo. Love free as well.

I have made 3 trays of seeds (the kind that are to be started indoors) and I am keeping them on the sun porch inside of the house and praying that they grow. They have to because I can’t buy any flats from the store. Okay, maybe a few, but only if this doesn’t work. And only the things that are hard to grow like tomatoes. But I am determined to make it work.

Cost of Full price Planting
Tray of 24 annuals averages $6 or $7
Cost per planting $.27 per plant

Cost of frugal chic, eco planting projects
Potting Soil $9
Seeds $5
Trays 90
Cost per planting $.15 per plant

Nearly a 50% savings.

Free Stuff & Back yard sanctuary

2007-05-31T09:41:00.000-04:00

I registered with a freecycle group on Yahoo and was able to get a free queen size bed for my sister's new apartment. I check it frequently because there is always something new and cool. Craigslist.com also has a free stuff section.

Today I made my first offer of free stuff. I have a garage full of baby furniture which I would like gone so that I can create my Backyard sanctuary.
Furniture short story....got it from a friend of a friend, didn't have the baby, all is good regardless.

Backyard Sanctuary, long story...in California, my sister took us to her boss's house for lunch (free) and it was good. But the backyard was phenomenal. Now she lives in ever sunny LA, so that's the major difference...but this back yard was an oasis of lush greenery, a waterfall, lots of seating of all types, a pool, colorful ground rock covering. I stole a little bit of the rock ground cover so that I could take it home and buy the exact replica rock.

There was a tree that was huge and had three levels of tree house with swing seating on the middle level. There were pots and planters in every orifice with beautiful plants, it was magical. This lady had big bucks and a gardener, but I was really inspired.

I have a garden that I lucked out on when we moved in. The previous owner was an avid gardener and planted lots of rose bushes, hosta’s and other perennials. I have embraced this garden and planted in all the planters Yolanda left behind, planting is a pricey adventure.

Did I mention we are on a tight budget? We are. So I can’t go out and buy $300 worth of plants and dirt to make it beautiful this year.

The answer: Seeds and books from the library on gardening. It’s only the last day of May and been two weeks since I planted the seeds, but I want immediate gratification which just doesn’t happen with seeds. The screwed up part is that it could take weeks for anything remotely flower like to happen. He Frugal bonus is that by mid June, end of July, the perennials start to go on sale. Perennials are a far better economical investment in long term garden beauty. I won’t get the benefit of the flower this year, but can pay a third of the cost and get full term beauty next summer.

We shall see what happens with those seeds. I have to say I cheated and purchased 2, 3-packs of fully grown plants to get the satisfaction of digging and planning in dirt.

Back to the backyard sanctuary…we can’t make our grass grow due to this Canadian maple that is smack in the middle of the yard and soaks up all water resources, making grass difficult to grow. There is a huge space that is dirt. Using inspiration from the California oasis, I am going to create a backyard sanctuary with seating, pretty rock ground cover and planters. The goal is to do it for cheap without looking it.

So the challenge begins.