Thrifty Thursdays: Pinterest Parties!

Pinterest has become a phenomenon that women (and even some men - yay!) are using daily for inspiration and education.  If you haven't started an account yet, you can learn more here.  I mainly troll Pinterest for recipes, cheap DIY, and overall inspiration for Life.

I've read some great Mommy articles as of late about how NOT to use Pinterest.  It shouldn't be a place where you constantly size yourself up against other women.  Just because you're not cutting your kid's snacks into adorable characters doesn't mean you can't benefit.

Source: goo.gl via Sabine on Pinterest

There is a balance, and one that you have to keep in mind.  Despite your love for Bert and Ernie.

On the other hand, it's very motivating to have the instant gratification of clear directions, cheery pictures, and the Hope you could be *gasp* crafty.

My fabulous mother's group has been holding Pinterest Parties lately.  This includes drinks, dessert, and a fun and easy craft to work on.  Usually a very inexpensive craft where other moms can pool their resources to create something pretty and fun.  There is no pressure to run out to Michael's and buy a mess of new craft tools, because most likely another woman has what you might need.  Clever and thrifty.  Pinterest allows you to start group boards, so we take turns pinning clever craft ideas on the board.  Then the lovely hostess chooses a craft that everyone is excited to try.

So far we have made these...

Source: media-cache3.pinterest.com via Mia on Pinterest

 and these...

Source: thebridesdiary-diy.blogspot.com via Tracy on Pinterest

The photo coasters were a perfect birthday gift for my father-in-law.  No picture, since he is a Cupid baby and has been enjoying them since February :)

Here is a picture of the artwork I just finished for baby sister's room.  Half was done at my friend's Pinterest Party, which is where I actually decided on the colors for her nursery.  Tough decisions, people, tough.  Needs a couple more finishing touches and then done.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, and honestly I would not have tackled this without Pinterest or the fun night out.

Have you tried a Pin Party?  What crafts or DIY ventures would be easier with a group of friends?

Thrifty Thursday: Brown paper packages...

..tied up with string...

Try not to hum (or loudly belt) and channel your inner Julie Andrews today.  It can't be done - she is just infectious!

Speaking of brown paper packages, I have really enjoyed my take on christmas wrapping this year.  I've saved money, and our gifts have a classic, simple flair that really puts me in the spirit.

Enter standard packing paper from Target.  I think my roll was around $5.

Enter cheap ribbons: You can stock up with Michael's weekly coupons or at the Dollar Store.

Enter Gloss Finish Scotch tape: Gives it a nice, clean finish.  I found regular scotch tape didn't have enough stick power to hold the heavy paper.

The paper lasts -forever- and even after all my wrapping, I still have a huge roll left.  My only complaint is that it does curl up and I have to weight it down to get it cut and folded the way I want.  But, hey, no biggie.

I had some fun Christmas stamps I got on clearance last year, so I jazzed some of them up a bit.

Now, I did want something pretty that the kids on my shopping list could really rip into.  I don't think the brown paper will have that satisfying riiiiiiip that I was going for.  But, I managed to get all kiddie gifts wrapped with a small roll of colored paper.  When usually, I'm going back for several rolls each year.  And honestly, the more trips I make out this time of year, the more tempted I am to overspend.

What style did you go with for Christmas wrapping this year?  Sunday comics DO count.  In case you were wondering. :)

Thrifty Thursday ~ Frugal Christmas Decor

I love Christmas decorations.  I love the glitter, the shine, the pretty.  I love the ceramic Santa and the dancing snowman.  I love it all.

I could spend hours at Target or Michaels perusing the holiday aisles.  It is my most favorite time of year.  Forgive me for using every superlative I know to express this love.

Anyway, you can imagine my strong desire to buy new, shiny Christmas decor every year.  But, this simply isn't possible.  We've been gifted most of our decorations (which I love).  However, I did want to pick up a few items to add to our holiday sparkle.

Enter Target Dollar bins!  Most of my life's dilemmas can be solved in the $1 bins at Target.  I snagged a ton of these mini ornaments.  I just didn't know what I was going to put them in.

I am a woman with lots of flower vases.  I guess that speaks to the chivalry of my husband, but don't tell him I said so ;)  However, the ornaments only half-filled my vase, and I thought it looked silly on my mantle.

I salvaged some old colored tissue paper from the holiday bin. It nearly called out to me for a new home.

 I took our frame that usually holds our wedding photo and slipped in this cute little printable.  I love Elf!  I'm pretty happy with the result.  

Since today is December 1st I've been trying to decide on an advent calendar to do with Amelia.  I thought this looked just my style.  Simple and cheap.  But, what happens if I want to make mini-muffins in December? Hmm...could get tricky.  

Happy December everyone! 

Thrifty Thursday: FREE is my favorite four-letter-word!

You've heard me mention my love of getting coupons in the mail.  The love affair continued this week with all my new goodies :) 

Are you a fan of John Frieda products?  My husband and I both tame our curls with this line, and I wanted to try the new shampoo.  Maybe my roots need awakening?!  These little packets are really convenient when traveling too.

And, really, who doesn't love a free diaper?  I think this will be my emergency diaper.  I'll stow it in the car's glovebox.  Better to be prepared!

Want some love for your mail box?  Check out these links for the next available freebie!

Walmart Samples and Coupons

Target Goodies

Huggies

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!
 

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.

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.