Fail
Posted: February 15, 2012 Filed under: Saving Money | Tags: lunch, saving money, work 4 Comments »Remember how I raved about the crock pot a couple of posts ago? Well, last night I decided to make Festive Black Bean Soup. Guess who forgot to put WATER in the recipe. This girl. Yep, chalk that up for a money-saving failure! Good thing the ingredients weren’t that expensive! Here’s a very short list of how I’ve been saving money since returning to work:
1) I pack my lunch EVERY day
2) I bring one of my favorite drinks so I’m not tempted to buy something on my break.
3) I enjoy the K-cups that are provided for us (seriously, I’m so impressed with this little perk in my new career)
4) I never order take-out…no matter how scrumptious everyone else’s lunches look.
DIY-Make Your Own Liquid Hand Soap
Posted: February 4, 2012 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Frugal, Money Saving Recipes, Saving Money | Tags: bar soaps, DIY, Frugal, homemade, liquid hand soap, liquid soap, money, Project, Save Money 1 Comment »Is your linen closet full of left over bar soaps you never use? Mine was. Then I decided to make my own liquid hand soap out of them. Here is a link to the directions. Save some money and sport clean, fantastic smelling hands 
ps-I found glycerin at Wal-Mart in the first aid section.
The Crock Pot is My New Best Friend
Posted: January 31, 2012 Filed under: Cooking, Frugal, Money Saving Recipes, Saving Money | Tags: beans, cooking, crock pot, Save Money, saving money, slow cooker, soup 10 Comments »I shared my exciting job news in my last post. While I’m ecstatic to finally be bringing home a pay check, I’m still committed to saving money. I do not want to start spending frivolously just because my husband and I will be making more. Thus, I’ve decided the Crock Pot is my new best friend. It cooks while I’m away, makes plenty of food for left-overs and does not require expensive ingredients! Perfect! This week I’m going to cook up some Festive Black Bean Soup. It looks super tasty, healthy and not to mention easy on the wallet. Take a peek!
Hired…
Posted: January 29, 2012 Filed under: Frugal, Saving Money | Tags: Frugal, saving money, unemployment, work 9 Comments »I recently wrote about my unemployment frustrations. I’m happy to share that I was recently offered a full-time job and I accepted! This unemployment era (this is what I have nicknamed it) of my life has taught me a lot about saving money. I will continue to apply these principles to my life, but I’m sure I will look for CONVENIENT ways to cut down costs while working. Does anyone have any suggestions?! I’d love to hear them!
Gift Conundrum
Posted: January 25, 2012 Filed under: Gift-Giving, Saving Money | Tags: birthday, gifts, marriage, relationships, saving money 12 Comments »My husband’s birthday was last week. I did not buy him a present. Wondering how I could be so heartless? Well, here’s an explanation for my seemingly callous action. We set up a gift budget at the beginning of the year and decided not to give each other Christmas gifts. I assumed this rule applied to our birthdays. I was wrong.
I saved a few bucks by failing to buy my husband a birthday gift, BUT I did not strengthen our marriage with this choice! I just wanted to point out that saving money is important, BUT so are relationships! Has anyone else made an epic mistake like this? I’d love to hear about it.
*my husband was not mad at me for not getting him a gift. he’s amazing like that*
A Little Motivation…
Posted: January 24, 2012 Filed under: Saving Money | Tags: DIY, Frugal, Motivation, Save Money, saving money 4 Comments »Sometimes my will to save money falters. Bad days tempt me to spend. How about you?
When my will power is starting to fail, I read posts by fellow bloggers who are also trying to squirrel some cash away. Their words usually inspire me to keep my credit card tucked in my wallet.
Enjoy. Hope these blogs motivate you!
Budgets are Sexy Their blog will make you think.
DottieDomestic-Her blog will inspire you to count the sheets of toilet paper you use. Wow!
How I Save Money.Net. I just found her blog today. Gotta love the clear skin tips, too.
Design Sponge This blogger really knows how to DIY! I love DIY because it can really save some dough.
I Tried It: DIY Drawer Divider
Posted: January 23, 2012 Filed under: Frugal, Organize, Saving Money | Tags: DIY, do-it-yourself, Frugal, Organize, Project, saving money 4 Comments »My work out clothing has never been organized. It’s always bothered me. So, I tried Design Sponge’s DIY idea. I made my own dividers out of cardboard.
Before
After
I would say this project was worth the effort! I even labeled the compartments when I finished. Now my husband can’t tell me he doesn’t know where my clothes go when we’re folding laundry!
Cost-$0
Money Saved-At least $10. I own a couple of drawer dividers that cost $12 for a pair.
Make Your Own Drawer Divider
Posted: January 21, 2012 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Gadgets, Organize, Saving Money | Tags: DIY, Frugal, Organize, saving money 2 Comments »Yesterday, I gushed over pinterest. I know. I’m way behind. The world probably realized how great the site was 5 years ago!
I did find a gem of a blog via pinterest, though. I’m very excited because it includes a picture tutorial on how to make a drawer divider out of cardboard. CARDBOARD! I’ve drooled over drawer dividers for years. NOW I can make my own for FREE! Who knew?!?
Next week I’ll attempt (I’ve never been good at measuring!) to make these handy gadgets and post the results! No more spending $6 per plastic ugly divider at Bed, Bath and Beyond and no more messy drawers.
I secretly dislike the lamp shades in my master bedroom. I know. This is a minor problem, but I think I may have found a solution. Pinterest. This site is CHALK-FULL of frugal yet creative ideas! Here are some other reasons I love this site:
1) There are inspirational ideas for EVERYTHING. Not only can I look up a pin on how to fix my drab lamp shades, I can learn how to organize the cans in my kitchen and make my own wall art.
2) There are so many DIY tutorial’s. (This is a frugal person’s dream!)
3) The site lead me to some other blogs I am in love with.
So, before you go buy a new lamp shade, light fixture, piece of art or etc…check out Pinterest. You may be able rig up something you like on your own and save a few benjamins while you are at it!
*I was not paid to write about Pinterest. I just tried their site and really like it!
School
Posted: January 17, 2012 Filed under: Budget | Tags: Budget, college, decisions, expense, people, saving money, tuition 9 Comments »Someone recently told me that it would cost $50,000 per year to send her twins to college (This number is based on 2013 tuition). Yikes. How does one ever save up for that kind of expense? Please tell me, because I am contemplating returning to school. It won’t cost me $50,000, BUT it will take some dough. I’ve juggled the pros and cons in my head nearly 500 times. I have not been able to answer the following questions.
1) Will a more advanced degree increase the chances I will be hired in this economy? I work in health care. I thought I was set for life with the degrees I already have. I learned this was not true when I moved to a different state.
2) Will going back decrease the amount I will be able to give my future children for their advanced degrees? Or will I be able to help them MORE because of the investment I put in my own education.
Blurg. Such difficult questions! I’m sorting through my decision day-by-day.
Do you plan on paying for your children’s (or future children’s) advanced education? Did your parents help you with your degree?
