So here is my beloved radish! It is fresh out of the garden in the picture. It did not last too long, since now it is in my stomach. I am a big fan of radishes.
Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
The First Radish!
Finally, after weeks of work, the first radish popped up ready to be picked today. Sure, it was the only thing in the garden that was ready, but one veggie is better than no veggies.
So here is my beloved radish! It is fresh out of the garden in the picture. It did not last too long, since now it is in my stomach. I am a big fan of radishes.
So here is my beloved radish! It is fresh out of the garden in the picture. It did not last too long, since now it is in my stomach. I am a big fan of radishes.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Never leaving the house again... well, until tomorrow
In a new, fairly pathetic strategy to save money, I've decided I am simply not leaving my house today. If I go to the store, I will buy something. If I go to a restaurant, I will eat something. So what is a girl to do? Not leave the house!
Yes, I know that seems anti-social and, sure, I could buy just about anything I want online anyway, but it is just a better idea to stay home anyway. I have to go to work tomorrow, so isn't that enough?
I have food, water, shelter... whatever I need right here. So I am going to just stay home... and maybe work online and achieve stuff.
And yes, I realize this is probably the most boring blog post ever. Perhaps that is why I stopped doing traditional blogging for so long. Oh well, I will keep working at it.
Yes, I know that seems anti-social and, sure, I could buy just about anything I want online anyway, but it is just a better idea to stay home anyway. I have to go to work tomorrow, so isn't that enough?
I have food, water, shelter... whatever I need right here. So I am going to just stay home... and maybe work online and achieve stuff.
And yes, I realize this is probably the most boring blog post ever. Perhaps that is why I stopped doing traditional blogging for so long. Oh well, I will keep working at it.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Growing My Own Veggies This Summer
This summer, I have started on the super epic journey of growing my own vegetables. Well, frankly, my fiance and I are doing this together. Growing a garden is not really so much my thing, but being cheap is my thing. We bought lots of seeds at the dollar store, some as cheap as 25 cents a pack. Most of the seeds seem to be growing well in starter pots and they are almost ready to be planted in the yard. This is where the real "fun" begins.
Don't get me wrong, I grew up in the suburbs, but my grandparents had a farm. I am no stranger to farming. However, I determined at a fairly young age it was not for me. Having lived in the city for a long time, it is a culture shock now to live in a house in the suburbs. Growing a garden seemed like a good idea since my fiance did it in the past, but this time, we probably got too ambitious.
Since the seeds were so cheap, we bought a lot at the dollar store and some at other stores. Now we have a nice variety of seeds growing. We also need to make the garden bigger. We've begun the process, and I have found myself to be exceptionally whiny about it. I know once everything is planted, it will be fine. But next year, perhaps we will aim for a smaller garden.
This year, we are growing:
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Peppers
Corn
Radishes
Watermelons
Pumpkins
Cilantro
I don't think we need to worry about the cilantro since it looks like a squirrel, or perhaps our dog, got a hold of it and it no longer exists. I also think because we don't know what we are doing with the radishes, perhaps they are turning out so great. But so far, everything else is good. We are going to save so much money on vegetables this summer and perhaps not have to buy our own pumpkins in the fall. Hooray.... I think!
Don't get me wrong, I grew up in the suburbs, but my grandparents had a farm. I am no stranger to farming. However, I determined at a fairly young age it was not for me. Having lived in the city for a long time, it is a culture shock now to live in a house in the suburbs. Growing a garden seemed like a good idea since my fiance did it in the past, but this time, we probably got too ambitious.
Since the seeds were so cheap, we bought a lot at the dollar store and some at other stores. Now we have a nice variety of seeds growing. We also need to make the garden bigger. We've begun the process, and I have found myself to be exceptionally whiny about it. I know once everything is planted, it will be fine. But next year, perhaps we will aim for a smaller garden.
This year, we are growing:
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Peppers
Corn
Radishes
Watermelons
Pumpkins
Cilantro
I don't think we need to worry about the cilantro since it looks like a squirrel, or perhaps our dog, got a hold of it and it no longer exists. I also think because we don't know what we are doing with the radishes, perhaps they are turning out so great. But so far, everything else is good. We are going to save so much money on vegetables this summer and perhaps not have to buy our own pumpkins in the fall. Hooray.... I think!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
January 26 - 27 Weekend - The Baltimore Sun Coupons
Some weekends I wonder if a coupon gremlin has come along and stolen all my coupons before I get my Baltimore Sun newspaper. Other weekends, I am quite happy to discover many coupons. This weekend would be just tha type of situation. There were four packets of coupons included. Also, there were a Walmart and Target sales paper. Hooray!
Some of the many coupons included in this weekend's Baltimore Sun are:
Happy shopping this weekend! Don't forget, many groceries stores will double your coupons if the amount is under $1.
Some of the many coupons included in this weekend's Baltimore Sun are:
- Frozen pizzas (various brands)
- Tums (you might need that after all that pizza)
- Tidy Cat litter
- Puppy Chow
- Ragu spaghetti sauce
- Suave shampoo and other products
- Vaseline products
- Fiber One
- Cheerios
- Tyson Chicken
- Nature Valley Granola Bars
- Tide
- Energizer
- Charmin
- Bounty Puffs
- And much more!
Happy shopping this weekend! Don't forget, many groceries stores will double your coupons if the amount is under $1.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Save Money on Your Heating Bill
One of the best ways to save money on your heating bill this winter is to "winterize" your windows. You can easily do this by applying plastic to the inside of your windows in your home. Perhaps you don't even want to apply the plastic to all your windows. That is just fine!
If you close off some rooms in your home and don't heat those rooms, then you won't need to worry as much about those windows. Focus on the rooms in your house you actual use and heat. Most importantly, focus on the windows that have the most drafts.
Once you determine which windows you want to winterize, you can easily purchase Duck Indoor Shrink Plastic Film Window Kits at any discount store. They sell for about $10 a box. Once you've gotten those, you are on your way to keeping out the cold air in no time.
It also helps to purchase a heater that runs on as little electricity as possible. You can find those in the same discount stores. Why bother spending money on oil or gas heat if that is not needed? Even if saving money is not your top priority, staying warm this winter should always be important.
Adding the plastic to your windows will make you home much warmer, and in no time, you will find your heating bill goes down. I've been applying plastic to my windows for a few years now and it makes a major difference.
If you close off some rooms in your home and don't heat those rooms, then you won't need to worry as much about those windows. Focus on the rooms in your house you actual use and heat. Most importantly, focus on the windows that have the most drafts.
Once you determine which windows you want to winterize, you can easily purchase Duck Indoor Shrink Plastic Film Window Kits at any discount store. They sell for about $10 a box. Once you've gotten those, you are on your way to keeping out the cold air in no time.
It also helps to purchase a heater that runs on as little electricity as possible. You can find those in the same discount stores. Why bother spending money on oil or gas heat if that is not needed? Even if saving money is not your top priority, staying warm this winter should always be important.
Adding the plastic to your windows will make you home much warmer, and in no time, you will find your heating bill goes down. I've been applying plastic to my windows for a few years now and it makes a major difference.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Highlight Your Own Hair at Home and Save Money
You may not realize it, but you really do not have to go to a salon just to get salon hair. Not getting your hair professionally colored, cut, or highlighted will save money! Through trial and error over the years, I've learned how to a number of tasks at home. I cut my own split ends, and if I decide I want bangs, I can cut those, too. I've also colored my hair numerous times at home. I've never really had an issue doing coloring my hair ever. It is easy and inexpensive. My only hair issues I've ever experienced has been bleaching my own hair or adding my own highlights.
However, you can add your own highlights at home. You need to just consider it a challenge and give yourself a long time... maybe a couple of hours... to do the procedure. Be careful, be patient, and expect a few imperfections. What I've learned is even if you go to the salon, even the folks there usually make a mistake or two. I haven't talked to anyone whose gone to a salon and walked away 100% satisfied with their highlights. It is always a little uneven or a little too blonde or slight blotchy or whatever. It happens no matter what. So why not save your money and do it yourself?
Since your hair won't be perfect anyway, do yourself a favor and highlight it at home. You need to just pay about $12 to get a hairpainting kit. For more instructions and photos, check out this hub on highlighting your hair at home.
However, you can add your own highlights at home. You need to just consider it a challenge and give yourself a long time... maybe a couple of hours... to do the procedure. Be careful, be patient, and expect a few imperfections. What I've learned is even if you go to the salon, even the folks there usually make a mistake or two. I haven't talked to anyone whose gone to a salon and walked away 100% satisfied with their highlights. It is always a little uneven or a little too blonde or slight blotchy or whatever. It happens no matter what. So why not save your money and do it yourself?
Since your hair won't be perfect anyway, do yourself a favor and highlight it at home. You need to just pay about $12 to get a hairpainting kit. For more instructions and photos, check out this hub on highlighting your hair at home.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Have Yourself a Low-Budget Valentine's Day!
Let's face it, most of us don't even really like Valentine's Day. Somehow, someway, we still get talked into celebrating it. This year, forget about really celebrating Valentine's Day! Why not do some low-budget stuff at home instead?
You can listen to some nice anti-love songs for Valentine's Day. Why bother finding someone to celebrate with when you can celebrate by listening to cheating songs, weird love songs, and break-up songs. It might be the most fun you'll have on Valentine's Day.
If you don't want to mope by yourself, how about getting some cheap, fun stuff at Target with your friends? Perhaps you'd like to shop for cheesy, low-budget Valentine's Day items at Claire's. Better yet, you can always go to the dollar store and go crazy buying loads of cheap candy. Just sit around after shopping, and you and your single friends can go crazy with the calories. Good times!
I mean, you could actually decide to do something productive like go to work. Of course, that is not really a celebration. That is more like torture. By hey, you've got to make money to pay all those bills, right? Right! You can also just celebrate at home with a nice dinner, or hang out with your pets, or stalk your exes online. There are are so many options when it comes to Valentine's Day!
So just remember, Valentine's Day is really just like any other day. If it were an actual holiday, we wouldn't have to go to work. So don't get too carried away! Go crazy at the dollar store or hang out at home. Keep it simple and low-budget!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Save Money and Workout at Home
Since this is the beginning of a new year, many people are trying to workout. People are often attempting to lose weight and get in shape during this time of year. Instead of spending a bunch of money on a gym membership, you should try some exercise programs at home.
If you want to keep your money and lose your weight, you should check out some fun DVDs you can do at home. For instance, Tae Bo is still a great way to stay in shape. Billy Blanks can help you through the whole experience and you will feel good about yourself. You can also try some of the Biggest Loser workouts. They can be tough, but they are effective. For the extreme beginner, the 10 Minutes Solutions series is a good option. Cindy Whitmarsh is an excellent instructor.
You might think the interaction is not the same when you workout at home verses the gym. Although there is some truth to that, it is still fun to exercise at home. The DVDs are pretty decent as far as giving you the same type of workout you would get at the gym. Also, there is no one at your home to laugh at you if you happen to fall. In a way, it is much better!
To learn more about some awesome workout DVDs, you can visit: The Best Workout DVDs
If you want to keep your money and lose your weight, you should check out some fun DVDs you can do at home. For instance, Tae Bo is still a great way to stay in shape. Billy Blanks can help you through the whole experience and you will feel good about yourself. You can also try some of the Biggest Loser workouts. They can be tough, but they are effective. For the extreme beginner, the 10 Minutes Solutions series is a good option. Cindy Whitmarsh is an excellent instructor.
You might think the interaction is not the same when you workout at home verses the gym. Although there is some truth to that, it is still fun to exercise at home. The DVDs are pretty decent as far as giving you the same type of workout you would get at the gym. Also, there is no one at your home to laugh at you if you happen to fall. In a way, it is much better!
To learn more about some awesome workout DVDs, you can visit: The Best Workout DVDs
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Baltimore Sun Coupons for August 27 - 28, 2011
Some of the best coupons included in this weekend's Baltimore Sun are:
- $1 off Tropicana
- Several L'Oreal coupons
- $1.50 off Kibbles 'n Bits for your dog
- Nature Valley and Quaker granola bar coupons
- Zyrtec and Claritin coupons
- Numerous Kellogg's coupons
- Tide and All detergent coupons
- Several cleaning supplies coupons
- $1.00 off Colgate
- $2.00 off Energizer batteries
- Duracell battery coupons (2 types)
- Feminine product coupons
- Dunkin Donuts coupons
- Prilosec, Nyquil, and other medication coupons
- And much, much more!
So if you need something to keep you entertained this weekend due to a lack of electricity, take the time to shuffle through all the coupons. Also, there are CVS, Target, and Kohl's salespapers, to name a few.
Stay safe during the entire Hurricane Irene experience!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Just Buy What You Need
For those of you that are big fans of scoping out sales and using coupons, you can save lots of money. This weekend I bought $80 worth of groceries for $45. This is quite excellent for me, even though some "extreme couponers" would surely frown upon it. I am sure they would be able to buy $800 worth of groceries for $45. However, I try not to compare myself to others. I feel like I achieved a great deal.
What you have to consider when making "extreme couponing" purchases is if you will actually use what you are buying. Certainly it is a great deal to buy 10 jars of pasta sauce at once if it is on sale and you have coupons, but make sure to check the expiration date and consider how much pasta you actually eat. If you do not even really like pasta and you might only use 4 jars, you have actually wasted money. It does not matter if you bought 10 for 50 cents a piece. If 6 go to waste, you just lost $3.
This sounds like a relatively simple concept until a person becomes obsessed with finding the best bargains. Suddenly, it is not about what is practical. It is about getting whatever is the cheapest. Aside from losing money by looking for bargains, you also need to be realistic about what you like to eat.
For example, I like to eat junk food. I am constantly trying to eat healthier. So say one day there is a great sale on apples. That is perfect. Apples are a healthy, wonderful snack. I can buy a few apples and eat them during the week. However, if even just one bag of candy goes into the cart, good bye apples. Chances are, the apples will get tossed to the side and I will eat candy all week. Now, the apples, even though they were on sale, will go to waste.
When shopping, be realistic about what you will really eat. If you are trying to be healthy, buy healthy foods that are on sale, but DO NOT buy junk food. Junk food will lure you away from the healthy food every time. Right now, I have a bag of what was once delicious broccoli in my fridge. Now, it looks terrible and must be thrown out. Lesson learned - buy frozen broccoli even if it is more expensive. Frozen broccoli lasts much longer. You lose money when you are constantly throwing stuff out.
What you have to consider when making "extreme couponing" purchases is if you will actually use what you are buying. Certainly it is a great deal to buy 10 jars of pasta sauce at once if it is on sale and you have coupons, but make sure to check the expiration date and consider how much pasta you actually eat. If you do not even really like pasta and you might only use 4 jars, you have actually wasted money. It does not matter if you bought 10 for 50 cents a piece. If 6 go to waste, you just lost $3.
This sounds like a relatively simple concept until a person becomes obsessed with finding the best bargains. Suddenly, it is not about what is practical. It is about getting whatever is the cheapest. Aside from losing money by looking for bargains, you also need to be realistic about what you like to eat.
For example, I like to eat junk food. I am constantly trying to eat healthier. So say one day there is a great sale on apples. That is perfect. Apples are a healthy, wonderful snack. I can buy a few apples and eat them during the week. However, if even just one bag of candy goes into the cart, good bye apples. Chances are, the apples will get tossed to the side and I will eat candy all week. Now, the apples, even though they were on sale, will go to waste.When shopping, be realistic about what you will really eat. If you are trying to be healthy, buy healthy foods that are on sale, but DO NOT buy junk food. Junk food will lure you away from the healthy food every time. Right now, I have a bag of what was once delicious broccoli in my fridge. Now, it looks terrible and must be thrown out. Lesson learned - buy frozen broccoli even if it is more expensive. Frozen broccoli lasts much longer. You lose money when you are constantly throwing stuff out.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Free Trial Memberships
Would you like to join a gym? Do you need to get some inspiration when it comes to exercising? Or perhaps your shower has stopped working and you need a place to wash up. Well, you are in luck.
Many gyms offer a 10 day trial period to give their gym a try. You can sign up online or go in person. Even if there is no free trial period, there is usually a discounted rate for a new member. One of my friends just simply registers at new gyms periodically and gets the 10 day free trial. Once the 10 days end, she exercises on her own or just moves on to a new gym. Certainly you may run out of gyms after a while, but at least you can decide on whether you really liked one and if maybe you can afford their price.
If all else fails, at least you have a place to take shower, like say, if your water is now turned off for repairs. Showering is important and joining a gym is starting to sound appealing right about now.
Many gyms offer a 10 day trial period to give their gym a try. You can sign up online or go in person. Even if there is no free trial period, there is usually a discounted rate for a new member. One of my friends just simply registers at new gyms periodically and gets the 10 day free trial. Once the 10 days end, she exercises on her own or just moves on to a new gym. Certainly you may run out of gyms after a while, but at least you can decide on whether you really liked one and if maybe you can afford their price.
If all else fails, at least you have a place to take shower, like say, if your water is now turned off for repairs. Showering is important and joining a gym is starting to sound appealing right about now.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Shop for Your Home Now
I say this because it is "back to college" season at the stores. When students go away to college, they need plenty of items. This is even for returning college students since every dorm and apartment is different. Stores use this opportunity to cash in. Most parents want their sons and daughters to be comfortable in college, and they are willing to buy plenty for them. College students also usually work the whole summer so they can buy what they need for the dorm. This is perfect for stores suffering in this economy.
On sale at Target this week are vacuums, comforters, a futon, lamps, office chairs, shelves, storage containers, a cookware set, blenders, a microwave, a long mirror priced at only $4, a mini-fridge, and blankets. Basically, they are selling items for the dorm at a dirt cheap price. These items work equally as well in your home. Also, the colors are brighter and trendier since it is designed for college students. So keep an eye out for your Target sales paper this week and start shopping!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Superfresh is Closing! Get Your Cheap Groceries Now!
I will be the first to admit I always feel a little guilty when a store is closing and I run in to buy cheap stuff as fast as possible. In all honesty, it is cashing in on someone else's failure. It is really sad. It almost feels like a loved one has died and I am combing through their stuff looking for valuables.
Sadly, I do feel like this when it comes to the supermarket Superfresh closing. It was once A & P and has been opened for decades. Slowly, the stores have been closing one by one. Now, one of the last in this area is closing. If you live in the Baltimore area, start looking around at the Superfresh stores and ask when they are shutting down and when the Going Out of Business Sale will begin.
No matter how sad I am about it closing, the store now has 30% off on practically everything. In some areas you may only see 10% off or even as much as 50% off, but for now, most items are 30%. Even though it is sad - 30% off! Come on, if you don't buy it, some other bargain hunter will. So for now, it is the right time to scope out the last remaining Superfresh stores and get a good deal.
Sadly, I do feel like this when it comes to the supermarket Superfresh closing. It was once A & P and has been opened for decades. Slowly, the stores have been closing one by one. Now, one of the last in this area is closing. If you live in the Baltimore area, start looking around at the Superfresh stores and ask when they are shutting down and when the Going Out of Business Sale will begin.
No matter how sad I am about it closing, the store now has 30% off on practically everything. In some areas you may only see 10% off or even as much as 50% off, but for now, most items are 30%. Even though it is sad - 30% off! Come on, if you don't buy it, some other bargain hunter will. So for now, it is the right time to scope out the last remaining Superfresh stores and get a good deal.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Making a Deal with Comcast
OK, let's face it, we all like cable television. Especially now with digital cable, there are so many channels - who can stay away? Also, the fact is that cable is expensive. Have you ever just called Comcast and refused to pay a high price? Because you can!
There is a lot of competition out there now and Comcast does not want to lose you. Quite frankly, no one can afford their prices when it is at the regular rate. Don't just sit there and pay high prices when your deal ends. You can call Comcast and simply ask them to lower the price. Don't believe me? I have not paid full price for cable in 7 years. As soon as my deal ends, I call them and ask if they are running any promotions. Need some ideas on how to start the conversation? Here are several examples:
"I just got my bill and I simply can't pay this every month. Is there anything you can do for me?"
"I need to cancel my cable if we can't figure out a better price."
"Are you running any current promotions? My bill is too high, but I do not want to cancel my cable."
All of these are great ways to begin the conversation. Every now and then, you will get a sales person that wants to play tough. You are going to have to either threaten to cancel, threaten to switch to Verizon, or cancel a premium channel or two to show them you mean business. I recommend calling back about 6 months later to see what type of deal you can get if you are forced to get rid of something and want it back. However, you may determine you don't even miss HBO. I discovered that myself a few years ago.
It is important not to annoy the hell out of Comcast on a regular basis. Remember to only call once one of your promotions end. This is usually anytime from 6 months to a year. Also, if you have Dish Network, I've heard they are willing to negotiate as well. Let's face it, companies do not want to lose you as a customer and they know they are overpriced anyway. Most are willing to work with you when it comes to cable.
There is a lot of competition out there now and Comcast does not want to lose you. Quite frankly, no one can afford their prices when it is at the regular rate. Don't just sit there and pay high prices when your deal ends. You can call Comcast and simply ask them to lower the price. Don't believe me? I have not paid full price for cable in 7 years. As soon as my deal ends, I call them and ask if they are running any promotions. Need some ideas on how to start the conversation? Here are several examples:
"I just got my bill and I simply can't pay this every month. Is there anything you can do for me?"
"I need to cancel my cable if we can't figure out a better price."
"Are you running any current promotions? My bill is too high, but I do not want to cancel my cable."
All of these are great ways to begin the conversation. Every now and then, you will get a sales person that wants to play tough. You are going to have to either threaten to cancel, threaten to switch to Verizon, or cancel a premium channel or two to show them you mean business. I recommend calling back about 6 months later to see what type of deal you can get if you are forced to get rid of something and want it back. However, you may determine you don't even miss HBO. I discovered that myself a few years ago.
It is important not to annoy the hell out of Comcast on a regular basis. Remember to only call once one of your promotions end. This is usually anytime from 6 months to a year. Also, if you have Dish Network, I've heard they are willing to negotiate as well. Let's face it, companies do not want to lose you as a customer and they know they are overpriced anyway. Most are willing to work with you when it comes to cable.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Just Don't Buy It!
Never underestimate how much money you can save just from not buying a few things. Currently, I am still on my mission: Send Jeannie to the Beach. Of course, I can't really afford to go, but sometimes you just must take a break. There are things I really want to buy, but I just won't purchase them for now. I've created a little list of things I really want, but I am currently living without:
Shower gels on sale at Bath & Body Works - $3 a piece
New MP3 Player - $30
New beach towel - $10
New CD - $15
Basically, if you add all of this together, I am saving around $60 just by not buying some items I really want. I am instead using older products and simply dealing with it. I have to remember the goal and continue:
Shower gels on sale at Bath & Body Works - $3 a piece
New MP3 Player - $30
New beach towel - $10
New CD - $15
Basically, if you add all of this together, I am saving around $60 just by not buying some items I really want. I am instead using older products and simply dealing with it. I have to remember the goal and continue:
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