Ode to my Wardrobe

I've been having lots of moments lately where I stand in front of my closet and mourn the loss of my clothing.  Dress slacks, fitted collared shirts, and a few skirts hang listlessly in my closet.  Sometimes we reminisce about all the good times we had together.

Maybe part of my depression stems from my lack of organization...

Were you expecting a color-matched and pristinely designed closet picture here?  Wrong blog, people.

Anyway, I think I speak for a lot of stay-at-home and work-at-home Moms when I say, I really miss my work wardrobe sometimes.  Sure, jeans and a comfy top are playdate staples that every mom appreciates.  But, sometimes, you just want to pull on something a little less durable and practical.  And not just for date night, but during actual hours of sunlight.

I miss the act of buying work clothes as well.  I was a teacher, so I loved the easy, dressy style of Banana Republic, The Loft, and JCrew.  I feel like there's no real purpose buying "nicer" clothes now, I mean, they have to be play-doh and snotty nose resistant - right? (That's code for No Dry-Cleaning).

I need to pull some of my favorites aside and consider how to make workable outfits out of them.  I think this would be an adventure in frugality.  Learning to work what you own, instead of buying new.

I love blogs that help me feel moms can be chic and comfortable while chasing after small children.

How do you mix your "work" and "play" clothes to make your own style?  Do you have a favorite everyday style blog?

Space: The Final Frontier

Nerd Alert!

Not exactly, sorry to disappoint.

I've just been wondering lately about the issue of space.  The American obsession with space.  I guess you could call it white-picket-fence syndrome, and I am not immune in the least.

Don't we all just want a few bedrooms, a couple of baths, and a nice yard?

Correction.  We need five bedrooms, a two-car garage, marble countertops, finished room over the garage, workout room, playroom, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, walk-in closets and a perfectly manicured lawn.  Might as well throw in a few stainless steel, upgraded kitchen appliances while you're at it.

Sound dreamy?

But how much space is too much space?  What do you really need to live comfortably and with some sanity?  I understand wanting the home to be an escape from the stresses and messes of the outside world.  You should feel solace in your home.  A sweet cocoon for you and your loved ones.  I get it.  Can you get a square footage on that feeling?

With this move we are gaining a bedroom, a master bath, and more storage.  Of course, this new rental is far from our Dream Home.  But, lately, I'm trying to sort out what that dream involves.  What do we really need to get that cocoon feeling?

Or, do we need bigger homes, simply because we keep acquiring stuff?  I don't want a home overflowing with items that are not useful, beautiful, or meaningful to me.  And I certainly don't want to be identified by what I own.  That is part of the American dream I would rather not awaken.

What's your definition of the American Dream?

Sellin' my wares.

This past Saturday marked my first real life adult attempt at a yard sale.  I talked previously about some of my goals for the sale here.  I was planning on holding the sale later in the month, but I spotted a huge community sale just down the road for Saturday.  I decided to jump on the bandwagon, and hopefully glean some traffic my way.

(I believe in clever signs.)

I placed an ad on Craigslist and tried to be as detailed and concise as possible.  There were tons of others to check out, so I could see what others were listing and saying about their sales.

We didn't have a ton of hot ticket items, mostly baby clothes, a few toys, adult clothes, home goods, books, and DVDs.  We made about $57 after the sale - not too shabby!  A neighbor advised me to check out a used bookstore that had recently opened around the corner to sell our fiction titles.  My husband carted them over and scored another $15.  Everything else went to Goodwill, so I am free - FREE! Goodbye clutter.

(dollar, dollar, who's got a dollar?)

I was literally scouring our house for anything I could toss/sell/donate.  I think I made a pretty hefty dent.  At least in my closet and bookshelf.  I feel about 10 pounds lighter...really.

Here are a couple of tidbits I learned from the sale:

• Get large, clear signs up earlier than later around the neighborhood
• Piggy-back off another nearby sale
• Gather several families to host a multi-family sale
• Have at least a few larger pieces to draw in customers 
• Use a money belt or *gasp* fanny-pack to hold your money
• Price fairly, but be prepared to let some items go for less

It ended up being a really beautiful morning, and I had a dear friend come over to "help" me with all my "customers".  We had coffee and warded off early-morning mosquitos with a leftover citronella candle.  Not a bad way to start the day.

Do you have any suggestions for how to run a successful yard sale?

Thrifty Thursday: Santa Claus is coming to town!

Did you just check your calendar?

I thought so.

Well, he's not coming YET.  But, trust me, the holiday season is literally right around the corner.  And it's ready for you.  It's got a new, snazzy, sparkly snowman vest on and it's about to jingle bell all up in your wallet.  I thought you'd appreciate a good visual.

Are you scared yet?

I have been scoping Christmas deals earlier then ever before.  I hit up Target during their July toy clearance event.  I have made a couple of pillaging trips to Borders for their going-belly-up sale.  Let's just say, I am ready to be done with Christmas shopping over the next month.

No last minute impulse shopping.  More time with my lovely family.  "Spoiling" ourselves a bit.  Spreading the festive cheer without spreading ourselves too thin.  Isn't that more Christmas-y?

(Christmas Carnage 2010)

Here are a few tips for getting out ahead of Rudolph this year:

• Make a holiday budget and include everything.  Tree.  Lights.  Cookies.  You name it, get a number beside it.  
• Stick to the budget!
• Scout out deals now before the prices soar shortly before Christmas.
• There are countless photo gift deals from websites like Shutterfly and Snapfish.  For example, there is a GREAT deal going on at Vistaprint right now where you can get 6 free photo gifts.  Get a wall calendar, photo book, or mug with your favorite summer photos.  You pay for shipping, but still a great deal! 
• I follow my favorite deal sites on Facebook, so I can jump on a great deal the moment I spot it.  Some people don't like all that information in their feed, but it saves me from bouncing around to different sites.
• Exercise your sinking fund for these purchases so it doesn't affect your monthly budget.
• Use cash when possible.  If it's online, be wary, you always spend more when you use a card.
• Buy smart.  Starting early allows you to be thoughtful about the people you love, so you don't have to buy the last candy cane from Walgreens on December 24th.  No really, I'm sure they appreciated the thought.
• Keep it in perspective.  Does your nephew NEED 10 new pieces of plastic?  Let's be honest, it will end up at the bottom of his closet in about 15 minutes.
• Save some for the end.  Just in case you need a merchandise fix.  I always save a bit so I can buy fresh, new gift wrap.  The act of wrapping up gifts satisfies my need to keep buying.  
• Shop after Christmas sales to score sweet deals.  Just remember to wear a helmet.

Get started now, you don't want to get caught under the mistletoe with one of Santa's little helpers...Visa.  I hear he hangs out with MasterCard.  Yikes.

Here is a countdown clock if you need any more motivation.  Merry Un-Christmas!
 

Want-itis Cure: Window Shopping

I'm a girl.

At my core, I want to be surrounded by pretty things.

Okay, maybe I need to have pretty things in my life.

Finding that balance is an on-going battle for me.  Sometimes I give in, and I let a case of want-itis take over.  And sometimes, I feel rejuvenated afterwards.  Other times, I feel worse than before.

Does this make me sound like a drug addict?!  I really hope not.

Want-itis - (noun) An incredible urge to procure STUFF.  Clothes, accessories, home goods, decorations, gadgets, etc.  

Synonyms:  Crave-able, I-needs-its, yes please!, OMG - LOVE!, gottahaveitnow

Example Sentence:  The woman suffered from a case of want-itis when she chose to purchase a new handbag over her  Roth IRA deposit.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against shopping.  I'm against losing control to the evil wants.

Anyway, I'm finding ways to cope with want-itis.  It really battles with my budget and gets me feeling guilty.  I could whine and say that I am "merely a product of my consumer-driven society," but that just sounds...well... whiny.  Adults don't whine.  They get creative.

I got creative this week.  I did something I don't usually trust myself to do.

I window shopped.

I cruised the mall and fingered the new Fall lines at JCrew and Banana Republic.  I smiled at the sales associates and scoured the clearance racks.  I held back and controlled my urge to bolt into the dressing room.  I knew that was going to take it too far.  Once you undress with new clothes, you kind of cross that line.  There's no way you can hang them back after such intimacy.  Am I right, ladies?  I don't trust myself that much.

New, pretty things were not in the budget this week, but I'm sure I can squeeze them in soon.  Having that control over my wallet makes me feel mature and powerful in a pretty amazing way.  In my younger 20's I would have impulsed and given in to the want-itis.  Not now.  Especially not with my daughter watching me with her knowing toddler ways.  I want to teach her how she can feel pretty AND empowered, all at the same time.  Part of that is keeping on a budget.

Another perk of window shopping?  Harry and David coffee sample!  Mine tasted like apple pie, and satisfied me without turning into a Starbucks five-buck fiasco.

Overall, I actually felt really uplifted after my brief window-shopping excursion.  I was lured into the stores, but once I was there, I felt swayed by very few pieces.  That must be a side effect of frugality.  Picky spender.

Thrifty Thursday: Homemade Foaming Soap

How much hand soap does your family use during a month?

How much do you spend on hand soaps?

Do you notice fancy hand soap when visiting someone's bathroom?

Am I the only one who thinks about these things!?

Don't answer that.

In an effort to trim our household budget, I was really inspired to make our own homemade foaming soap after reading this DIY post from Live Renewed.  I took the tip and bought some Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap in a lavender scent.  It smells fantastic and I am anxious to try it out.  For now, I'm trying to use the rest of our Dial soap.

Okay, maybe I'm using an extra pump or two so I can empty the bottle quicker.

Have you ever used Dr. Bronner's soaps?  It's made from organic oils and I like that there are only 10 ingredients.  I also just like to say the word, jojoba.  Try it.  Rolls off the tongue.

The Art of Couponing: Getting Started

I have been considering starting a coupon series for awhile now, and I think I have enough experience to give it a whirl.  However, I will say that I am not an extreme coupon-er.  In fact, I would still classify myself as a newbie.  I have been doing a good deal of research for several months, and am thankful to all the wonderful ladies who work tirelessly on their coupon sites.  I would never have that kind of focus or patience!  So, with that being said, I will share my experience with the Great Art of Couponing with you.

Coupons have changed and grown our grocery budget.  The food envelope is the first one to empty in this house, and my family really enjoys eating.  We like snacks, fresh produce, and just having food in the fridge.  My husband starts to sweat if his granola bar supply runs low.  We also value eating organic when possible.  There are only three of us, and I still believe we overspend in some areas.  It's like feeding a house full of teenagers at times, I swear.

So where do you start with coupons?

Well, first, you need to FIND them.  Gather, gather, gather.  Here are some places to look.

• Sunday paper inserts - A gimme, but I get them from my parents or hubby's work.  We have not caved and bought a subscription yet.  Ask your neighbors or local businesses if you can have their inserts.  Doesn't hurt to ask!  
• All You - Do splurge on a subscription to All You magazine.  I got mine at a discount when I saw it pop up on another deal site.  This happens pretty regularly, so I would wait and get it for cheap!  It's worth it.
• Online - There are TONS of sites that allow you to print coupons.  The most popular and easy to use are Coupons.com and SmartSource.  There is the cost of keeping your printer stocked with ink and paper, but the payoff is good.  Most online coupons average $1, so you will save over time.  
• Catalinas - Catalina coupons usually spit out from a separate machine at checkout.  I always watch carefully to see which ones will pop out!  Some grocery stores even run specials with catalinas, so you can stock up when you see a good deal. 
• Binkies & Peelies - Sounds like the latest cartoon craze, right?  Blinkies are the old-fashioned coupon dispensers located around the grocery store.  Keep an eye out and grab one (not 10) when you pass by.  Peelies are sticky coupons attached to a certain product.  Be sure to buy the product if you plan on claiming the peelie.  It's so sad to see a shelf where someone helped themselves to every peelie in sight.  Play fair, people.
• Mailbox - I love getting coupons in my mailbox, it really gives me a thrill.  I can hear you rolling your eyes!  Don't automatically toss those inserts, sale ads, or booklets.  Take a peek, you might be  surprised.

Though there are more ways to gather coupons, I think it's important to start small.  I was quickly overwhelmed by the amount of coupons I gathered in a short time, and it makes you want to quit before you even get started!  Go slow, turtle.

Next time we'll talk about how to organize your coupons without losing your mind.  Nobody wants to find you huddled in the corner with paper cuts while muttering about the latest BOGO deal.  Trust me, that was almost my life.

Till next time, happy gathering!

Come on Irene! Oh wait...wrong song.

Well, our family escaped the path of Hurricane Irene last week.  Our home got no real damage, but we were without power for an undetermined amount of time.  We spent the weekend at my sister's home, and our daughters had a blast playing together.  Amelia is fairly bored today, and keeps asking for her cousins.  Poor kid. Stuck with boring ol' Mom.

Before our trip, I managed to scoot over to Target to "pick up a few things".  I admit, I got caught up in the frantic nature of the storm.  Those local news anchors will get you every time.  RUN!! BUY!! HOARD!!

Anyway, while I was inspecting an aisle that bottled water had in fact occupied a week before... I had a moment of clarity.  Why am I worried?  We are leaving town.  I have plenty of dry goods already at my house.  I coupon shop, so I don't need to re-create my entire pantry.   I'm sure there are other stores out there in the universe, in case I do need this bottle of fizzy, berry-flavored water.

So, I settled on picking up diapers, wipes, and a few kid snacks that I had previously known we would need.  I put back several other items I had tossed in.  Good job, Target.  I bought in.  Thankfully, I did a good self-check before I checked out.

It was a good reminder this weekend that having a strong budget (with some wiggle room) is always a necessity.  A natural disaster hitting is a good reason, and perhaps an excuse, to blow the budget.  Even though we spent more than we had planned, we can easily adjust and allot ourselves some forgiveness.  We might have to cut back next month a bit to even things out.  Come Hell or high water (literally), the budget remained.

Well, there was the emergency pedicure...but we will budget that under sisterly bonding.  Right? :)

Trash or Treasure?

Lately, I've had an incredibly strong desire to purge our home of lots of "unnecessaries".  Couple that with the need to pay down debt, and guess what you get?

That's right.  Yard Sale!

Yard sales of my childhood were fun times to practice simple money skills, bartering, simplifying, and working the merchandise.  Also, a chance to sell my rocks.  You thought I sold lemonade?  Think again.

I've been gathering books, old toys, clothes, and other knick knacks that are not adding to our life.  It's my hope that when we do make a move, this will allow us to make it swiftly and with less headache.

I am finding that organizing a yard sale as an adult is much different from childhood.  In fact, it's a lot of work!  I want to do it right, and make it worth our time.  I found this article from Money Saving Mom really helpful.  The Small Notebook also inspires me to live simply and with less stuff.

Do you feel weighed down by the material possessions in your home?

Have you considered downsizing for sanity?

Zen Habits has a great article on how to purposefully purge.  He challenges you to pick the 100 items you cannot live without.  Then, you work hard at cutting out the fat from your life.  Do you really need the three pairs of black flip-flops or 1997 text book?

Yard Sale To-Do List

• Signage!  Get the word out with good ol' sharpies.
• Advertise on Craigslist with specifics we are selling.
• Team up with other families or friends looking to sell too.
• Organize the goods in an appealing manner.   Since we have some gently used clothing, I'd like to borrow a stand or make a cheaper solution to display them.
• Do some research for what a good sale price would be on our nicer items.
• Consider a two-day sale to really move items out.
• Sell baked goods! Not rocks.

Thrifty Thursdays - Cell Phone Plans (aka fat, bloated cows)

I am still an English teacher at heart, so I love, love, LOVE alliteration.  My daughter's name is alliterative, and hence all series on this blog MUST be too.  Also, I am allowed to make occasional grammar mistakes, forgive me.  I consider myself a modern Emily Dickinson with new words, breaking lines, and wild prepositions.  I digress.

Welcome to this week's Thrifty Thursday!  I'll share something thrifty that has worked for me, or something I really want to try.  I'm a newbie to true frugal living, and it's all a learning curve, right?

One way we have found to save is with our Verizon cell phone plan.

The world would have us think that we must have an IPhone, Blackberry, or other beautifully invented device.  We must be connected 24/7 to all our social networks.  What if your buddy Larry from Iowa bought a new shirt?  How would you know?!  Priorities, people.  Priorities.

Hence we are one of the last (if not the second to last) people I know who have not jumped on the Smart Phone bandwagon.  I see these handy phones as a true luxury.  I'm human.  I would love having something new, sleek and user friendly.  However, there are other goals and  motivations lately that keep me with my old LG sandwich phone.  My tried and true.

We recently got a little crazy and finally updated our old phones.  We had waited (drumroll please) over two years to finally update together.  Verizon is making it nearly impossible not to update to a smart phone and have recently changed their talk and text plans.  Amazingly enough, we were grandfathered in with our old plan and advised to keep it.  Ha!  The support tech was almost jealous of our old and outdated, simple plan.  I thought we were already a bit excessive with unlimited text and data.  Not until we realized the price of the new "tiered" data packages.  These would increase our monthly bill by $60 if we were to update to smart phones.  That's a saving of $720 a year!  We also opted for the simple and free phone upgrades.

The reality is that in years to come, I'm sure I'll have the phone I want.  But, for now, I'm happy with the simplicity of our plan.  It leaves me time to focus on other things.  Like the sweet sleep creases on my daughter's cheek.  Or the way her hair curls perfectly around her ear.

How much are you paying annually for the luxury of a smart phone?

Could that money be better spent on debts or other necessities?

Where can you tweak your monthly bill?

Small changes add up quickly.  Several small streams create powerful rivers.

Momma Likes a Deal

What did we do before deal sites?  I mean, really.  Have you shopped a recent flash sale?  Though I haven't made any purchases recently, I do love cruising these sites for the latest mom and baby deals.

Zulily
Check out Zulily for highly discounted clothes and accessories for moms and babies.  They carry toys, games, home goods, and decorating tidbits too.  I adore their lines of maternity and nursing gear for moms.  The size charts are accurate and detailed.  I know I always worry about something fitting perfectly when shopping online. You even get $15 for referring friends who purchase items.  Shameless plug here! This weeks' deal on kid's Crocs is going fast.  Aren't these adorable?

Warning:  Grown adults, particularly hairy legged men, should err on the side of caution when purchasing Crocs.  Your kids are cute.  You, my friend, are disturbing. 

Totsy
I recently joined this site and am pretty impressed so far!  They have similar stock to Zulily and showcase many unique boutique lines.  Today you can snag a quality Cybex booster seat for less than $90.  I don't like anything flashy for the car, something that goes with the interior maybe?

These sites also have a great preview option.  Several days before a sale hits, they list a ticker so you can be prepared.  Hot deals go FAST.  The inventory seems pretty low on some things, so I suggest keeping an eye open if you're in the market for a specific item.  

Remember to identify a want from a need when visiting these sites.  Not every deal is a fabulous one, but with time you'll be able to tell the difference.  

Mystery Shopping Review - Beyond Hello

As promised, I want to do a quick review of my first experience with mystery shopping.  Technically, this is Part I, since I am still waiting for my payment.

I started with Beyond Hello in mid June and completed my first two shops in early July.  Beyond Hello pays out through PayPal, so I promptly set up my own account.  There is some sharing of personal information, so I did extensive research on the company prior to signing up.  Beyond Hello scored high with the BBB and it was hard to find negative reviews online from shoppers.  So, I jumped in!

Mystery Shopping is a really fun mix of talents for me.  I get to do a little acting, window shopping and note-taking.  Best of all, I am using these brief excursions as my alone time.  Most mothers embrace the chance to drive alone in perfect silence or with a favorite tune blasting.  We could all use a break from tossing cheerios in the back seat and singing The Wheels on the Bus for the hundredth time.  Am I right or what?  I use it to catch up on phone calls with friends and family, and generally unwind.

Here are some general Pros and Cons from the experience:

Pros

• The Shop Log feature allows you to choose how many miles outside of your zip code you are willing to shop.  For me, a drive longer than 15/20 minutes is probably not worth the gas for the payout.  
• I made a mistake and submitted the incorrect form (rookie!) and was given a re-do.  I was allowed to resubmit my form with no penalty.  
• When I have had questions, I do receive a fairly prompt response.  The coordinators appear happy to help and support the shoppers.
• Good work pays off!  Some shops are graded, so shoppers who go the extra step will be rewarded with more shop opportunities.  
• Free!  I have not been asked to pay a fee to receive any shops.  
• Mystery Shopping is considered working as an independent contractor.  This makes it win-win for me and for the company.  We can both walk away at any time.

Cons

• I would prefer payment to be more prompt.  I was informed that I would not be receiving my July payments until the end of August.  I have not seen anything in my PayPal account yet, but will be watching towards the end of the month.  I'll update when I do get the compensation!
• The Sassie software is relatively easy to use, but I would like a cleaner form to work on.  There are lots of things highlighted, bolded, or in red.  Text size changes. I find it distracting, but that is a detail I can overlook.
• Beyond Hello does advertise getting your IC Pro status.  From what I gather, this will set you apart from other shoppers so you get more shops.  This involves putting in more information and connecting through JobSlinger.  I am investigating this further before I make a decision.  So far, I've gotten 6 shops without having this status.  We'll see how it goes!
• The shops I have completed do specify you cannot have children with you.  I don't believe all will be like this, but that does make it challenging if I don't have an opportunity to slip away alone.

Overall, I think mystery shopping can be a worthwhile venture for anybody looking to make a few extra bucks.  It won't make you rich by any means, and I think you have to keep your expectations humble.  My plan is to use the earnings for dumping debt.  I have tried some other companies, and am still reviewing them.  Beyond Hello has good service and an easy site - not a bad start!

Daily Deal Sites

Daily Deal sites appear to be all the craze lately.  Sites like Groupon and Living Social send daily emails with great deals.  The discounts average around 50% off!  Hotel stays, clothes, restaurants, spas.. you name it, there's a deal for it. Not a bad idea, right? Debatable.

It can be tempting to buy up every sweet deal you spy.  But, don't forget to err on the side of caution.  There can be fine print, limitations, and expiration dates involved.  Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in the ease and what a deal! attitude, that sometimes these deals can go unused.

When budgeting and living frugally, keep your eyes peeled for good deals.  Just don't let those deals get you first.

Christmas in July!

Are you a parent?  Or do you know a kid?  Or do you just like kids?

Well, I really hope you were able to partake in the Clearance Toy Event at Target going on now.  Here is my pull from two different stores...try not to fall over on yourself now.

I'd say I'm pretty stocked up!  Bring on Christmas, birthdays, just-because's, and charity.

I spent about $112 (not exact since I bought other grocery items and am too lazy to do the math) and I got some pretty prime items.  I got 5 board games, desert maker, lip gloss maker, countless bubbles (oh the bubbles!!), etc.  

I'm really buying (pun intended) into the idea of a Sinking Fund lately for our little family.  We are sinking money into a separate savings account now to fund Christmas expenses and a new-to-us car for the hubby.  It's a way to plan a little all year, so that when MAJOR deals spring up, we're ready with cash on hand.  Like my adventures at Target!  

Happy Shopping & Saving :)

Frugal Sites

I have found a new kind of motivation this past week.  Hence the new blog updates!  I've been reading a ton of blogs about frugal living, couponing, debt managment, etc.  It's been really uplifting since we are looking to shell out a cool $1000 in car repairs over the next month.  Wait, make that closer to $1500.  Set backs are discouraging, but I'm pulling myself up by the metaphorical boot straps.  (weird visual, huh?)

Here are some fantastic blogs I've been following:

Frugal Dad - This blogger is a Dave Ramsey follower as well, and he has great information and uplifting articles about beating debt.  He really forces you to "man up" as DR would say :)

Money Saving Mom - She has a great blog series about becoming a work-at-home Mom that has been really educational.  I'm signing up to be a mystery shopper this week (no scams, promise!) and preparing to sell some old text books online.

Coupon Challenge - A VA local who coupon matches for Farm Fresh. You know I love my www.southersavers.com, but she doesn't match FF for me.  Thanks Dana for keeping me in the know!

Last night I stumbled on a link to make your own foaming hand soap at www.liverenewed.com using castile soap.  I think I might pick up some peppermint scented and cost compare to see how much it could save us.

Also, begging my dear friend Alexis at Dungeons and Diamonds to share her wealth of knowledge with starting container gardening.  I do NOT have a green thumb, so this might be easy enough for me to handle!

Got any frugal living tips??