Recycle Paper Bags

As usual, I will have to refer back to my mother for much of my knowledge of saving and recycling.  She didn't know she was recycling or probably never heard of it, but she was the best.  When you have  opportunity to get paper bags versus plastic you can find uses for them.  One of the most prominant one in my mind is when frying, instead of using so many paper towels to drain, use a paper bag folded the size you need and as with the fried chicken in the picture, I had cut one into.  I then used 1/2 sheet paper towel on top to be a little more sanitary.  My mother never had paper towels while I was growing up and we are all doing fine.  

Not only will you be recycling and keeping so much plastic from the landfill, you will save money on paper towels.  As with everything else, we need to find new ways to recyle and be frugal.

Unique Birdhouse Repair

My, what we can learn from children.  Although this is not always the case,  this unique birdhouse repair is one we can learn from.  Always try to use what you have on hand first.

Last Saturday I went to my niece's birthday party.  She turned nine years old and it seemed like yesterday that she was coming home from the hospital.  Well, as I was leaving, I spotted a birdhouse on the front porch.  She had made it from a kit and something happened to the bottom part of it, so she used a bottom to a plastic flower pot to do the repair.  I thought this was a wonderful idea for a nine year old (girl) to think of this.   She also attached it with string.  Is she gonna be frugal like her auntie?  Let me know what you think?

Side view of birdhouse.

Side and bottom view of birdhouse.

Bottom of birdhouse.

Relaxing Cat

I took these pictures one morning when I was on my caregiver morning job.  The sun was shining brightly and I'm sure this felt good to CoCo on a cold morning.  It was like he was in a trance.  Too Cute!  Made me want to take a nap.  It never hurts to relax once in a while. 

Dollar Deals

Have you ever shopped Dollar Tree or any other dollar store?  Some great deals can be found at them.  Just like any other "deal"  you have to comparison shop according to  prices or sizes and prices at other retailers.  For short, I have a photo of the items I picked up on my little shopping trip.  Hey, if you're on a budget, you have to find the deals.

The total at the register was a little over $13 including sales tax.  I have comet cleanser, Ragu pizza sauce, back pain patch, hair scrunches, work gloves, Colgate toothpaste, Dial soap(2 bars), Colgate toothpaste gel, Ajax dishwashing detergent, Spic and Span bacterial cleanser, Olives, 2 Rubbermaid plastic bowls and package of pizza crusts.  I regularly shop Dollar Tree for snacks and sometimes hair products, party supplies, balloons and much, much more.

Frugal Activity: Day at the Library

Today was such a beautiful, sunshiny and warm day.  Yes, I know it is the 6th of January, but it was just perfect.  While I was in town today, I was in the area of the library.  The library is such a special place to me.  When we were kids, momma would take us to check out books and it was just such an experience to me.   In high school, we had to go for our research to write papers.  Now we have the internet and it is so convenient we don't have to leave the house.

My daughter's first job was at the library during the summer.   I'm sure that is a special place to her also.

Upon arriving today, I told the attendant I was writing a blog and wanted to include the library as a source.  She agreed to allow me to take pictures and gave me information on some of the programs they offer.  I could just live there I think!  I am including some pictures of our local library with some of the services they offer.  Some of the regulars go in to check their email on the FREE internet service.  Others go in to read the daily newspapers or check on the stockmarket.  I like to sign out or borrow DVDs.  No doubt, they have what you are looking for, no matter the subject.  Some of the subject matter was Dr Quinn TV Series, Wuthering Heights, war movies, history, biographies, educational, Presidents/First Ladies and much, much more, including children/teen entertainment.  My mother will sign out a DVD and has a variety of entertainment she would not have otherwise.  Homeschoolers benefit greatly from this offer.

During my visit, I had forgotten the FREE magazines on display.  These are ones that are out of date or individuals have taken to recycle.  I found some today to share with my brother on flying and planes.  He loves flying as a hobby.  When I dropped them off today, it put a smile on his face and he will now have some new material to enjoy.  My grandson's class at school has been studying the Wright Brothers and I found one with an article on that subject.  He will be pleased.  I hope one day to take him to the Wright Brothers Memorial at Kitty Hawk, NC.  He will appreciate it much more now that he has studied  the subject.



Besides the FREE magazines, they have up to date ones that you can go in, take a seat and enjoy during the extra hour you have between appointments..  Once again it is tax time and if you have not ordered your forms or not doing them on the internet, they have multiple stacks of forms.

While browsing, I saw various books with information from a standard catalog of Information on Baseball Cards to college information.

Winter is just the right time for the toddlers to enjoy the library.  Start them early loving books and education by using the resources at our local library.  Story time on Tuesdays for wee ones (birth to 2 yrs. old) for 15 minutes in the morning.  Following that, is toddler time (3-5yr. old) for 30 minutes.  No doubt they will enjoy the songs that go along with the story.

One of my favorite areas to visit is The Local History Room.  If you like to do research on the state of NC or searching out your family tree, this is the place to go.  Someone is usually there to assist you in your research journey and introduce you to areas of your interest.

Later this month, The Friends of the Library are holding a book sale.  This is a fund raiser for the volunteer organization, which in turn uses those funds to support library projects.

I hope you have enjoyed the results of my little trip today.  Remember there is no charge for these services, unless you keep a book, DVD or CD until it is overdue, then you will have fees for that.

New Baby Goats

It all started Christmas Eve day.  We had a darling little baby goat born.  The next day we had another born.  As of Monday this week we now have 8 new babies.  They are so precious and it will be very difficult to see them go, but we can't keep them all.  We'll just have to enjoy them while they are with us.

By the way, this is a fun way of making a little extra money or having fresh goat's milk.  My husband does all the work with the feeding and watering.  He won't admit it, but I think it is just one more of his little hobbies.

Frugal Tips

I would like to share some frugal/cheapskate (another word for frugal) suggestions.  I don't do all these, for instance, it will have to get really bad for us to use one vehicle only.  However, in some situations this may be something you can use  with your own family.  What works for you may not work for your neighbor or friend.  

• Own one car
• Try a Smaller Car
• Live in a Smaller House
• Rent instead of Buying a House
• Buy Used
• Eat Out Less
• Eat Out Frugally
• Take your Lunch to Work
• Have a Limited Wardrobe
• Do Not Buy Clothes That Have to be Dry Cleaned
• Don't Go Shopping For Recreation or Fun
• Cut Off The Cable
• Cut Off The Internet
• Carpool
• Sell Your Stuff
• DeClutter
• Stop Using Credit Cards
• Pay off Credit Cards
• Combine Errands
• Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
• Recycle
• Stop Impulse Online Buying

These are just a few ways you can save money and time, while creating extra time to spend with  family or for activities you enjoy.  I will be adding to the list in the days to come.  Remember, you may not be able to do all these, but maybe take one and try it.  You will be surprised what you can do and what you can save in doing so.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year!  It is a beautiful morning in Eastern NC.  The sun is shining and it is Sunday,  and we will be going to church.  What a wonderful way to start the new year of 2012.  If we ever needed God it is today.  This is not popular, but this is my life and I must include it.

In the following days, I will be posting ways to save money, earn money and live frugally with what we have.  We must make use of every available source wisely.  The American dream as we have known it, is a thing of the past.  Our minds must be reprogrammed to live as productively as we can possibly make it.

When I was young and my life was open before me, the sky was the limit.  A young man or woman could go out and get a job very easily.  Some of the choices for the young were, filling station attendants, factory work, retail sales (there were many other stores & choices besides Walmart), working on farms,  fast food restaurants, waiters in restaurants,  grocery store baggers, and after school sweeping floors at a local small corner grocery store.  Today we do not have the gas stations who need attendants, the factory jobs, retail sales except Walmart, the farms are equipped with machinery and migrant workers, many local restaurants do not have the waiters or waitresses as before,  or no corner grocery stores.

Where do we go from here?  Of course a good education is the foundation of landing a great job, but they are not even available now.  The jobless statistics are only from the ones who are filing for unemployment.  What about the ones who have run out of the unemployment income?  Sounds bleak to my ears.  We cannot depend on the government because we know the government is living on borrowed time and money.  As I have already stated, reprogram your mind, and I will add, daily habits and the way of life as we have known it to be for years.   You may not be to this devastating point in your life.  You may have a great job and everything is going well, but I believe from my research, that this will change for all.  I sound very pessimistic, I know, but I believe it is reality.

We need to buckle down and determine in our minds that we are going to make it through these most difficult times.  What a way to bring in the New Year.  I know how this must sound, but we are going to make it through all the challenges that lie ahead.

Happy New Year!

It's Crazy Out There!

I have been visiting other blogs, you know, just for ideas.  It's crazy out there!   People blog about "nothing".  I thought my blog was probably uninteresting to read, but not any more.  Number one, I don't want my every thought and deed posted for the world to see.  That is what friends, doctors and prayers to God are for.  I intend to have many interesting topics to help you in the coming year.  Maybe you don't see eye to eye with me on everything, but if you pick up one detail or tidbit that you can use, I have done my job.  I find that people don't always want to listen to you, but a blog is a way you may help just one.  That will be worth it all.  Stay plugged in and I hope to have items of interest in the coming new year of 2012.

Rest, Rest, Rest!

Don't you think it is about time to slow down the pace and rest?  I am trying to do just that, however, it is not easy.  Many of us are back to work from our short vacation and dealing with all the aftermath of the season.  It is very important to take care of yourself since we are coming into the cold and flu season.  Remember to rest a little more in the evening (make yourself).  Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fruits and veggies.  Drink that orange juice.  Put all that candy, pies and cakes you indulged in over the holidays right out of your mind.  Wash your hands often to prevent those germs from getting to you.  It's like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  It can be very expensive to get ill nowadays.  Now, save that money!

It Has Passed!

Do you feel a little like I do?  Glad it is behind us?   All the busy schedules, baking, cooking, shopping and the list goes on.  We have a tendency to overdo it during the Christmas season.

I received a Bath & Body Works gift card on Christmas day.  After thinking about it, I decided to go ahead and place an order online, before the prices could go up.  I, frugally, purchased items on sale, using a promotional code I got from a website.  I did a Google search for "promotional code".  Several different sights are available for codes.  It saved me 20% off my entire order, even though the items were already on sale.  I feel so good about my purchase.  Now I will have on hand shower gels, lotions to use for myself or for gifts.

Do you have gift cards that you received?  Maybe now is the time to use them while you can take advantage of the sales.  Be sure to search for a promotional code if you shop online.  Learn to use codes, coupons and discounts whenever possible.  They are out there for the taking.  It takes a little time to find them, but they are well worth it.

Christmas Memories #12

Merry Christmas everyone!   Met with more family today at my home.  We ate and ate and ate.  Soooo full of food, it is really sinful.  We enjoyed our afternoon together with laughter, cheer and happiness.  Everyone loved their gifts and we sent them off until next Christmas when we can do it all over again.  We are sooo blessed to have warm homes, good food and peace in our land.  I never want to forget the real meaning of CHRISTmas!  We wouldn't have a holiday without Christ.  Remember to keep it simple for Him, for sure, He came to earth in simple form, born and laid in a manger.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Memories #11

Oh Well!!!!!   It has happened again!    My extended family meets tonight for Christmas party and  I have not made all the goodies I had hoped to.   But refer to Christmas Memories #10.  Do not stress!  Let it go!  It will be alright.  No one but you will know the difference.  Others are preparing and bringing food and goodies.  We will have a great time!   The best thing about it is we are all going to be together to celebrate this beautiful Christmas season.  Will miss you again this year, daddy!   My wonderful dad passed away in 2007 and he is so, so missed.  Words cannot express the emptiness you can feel when you lose someone so dear.  We do, however, have the assurance he is in a better place.  That, we are thankful.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Memories #10

One very important thing to remember during this busy season.   Do not stress because you cannot do all you had hoped or planned to do.  It will be alright!  Sometimes you will be the only one who knew you didn't make that last batch of candy or buy a gift for the drive thru window attendant.

Trust me your family and friends will appreciate you much more if you are not a basket case for Christmas Day.  Not only that, but your health is even at risk.  Stress can cause illness including hypertension that will be another problem, going for an expensive doctor's visit.  Our immune system is weakened due to stress and not eating properly, so enjoy the time you have with family and friends and just LET IT GO!

Christmas Memories #9

Only 5 days before Christmas!  Are you ready?   For the lonely one, discouraged one, unemployed one and the list goes on, this hopeless feeling will not last forever!  No matter how hard we try to make our Christmas memories good ones, sometimes life just happens and our whole world turns upside down.  Oh, I have had a few Christmas mornings when all was not well.

 One particular Christmas Eve morning my husband was going to hunt deer with some other men.  He had to travel into the next county to meet the group and have breakfast.  A little over half way to his destination, he slowed the truck to make a turn and the truck motor just cut off.   He got out, darkness all around, raised the hood and started working around the battery connections hoping to get it cranked again.  He took a screw driver and tapped on an area around the battery and suddenly it exploded in his face.  You see the battery was hot and when there was a spark, it just exploded.  Now remember he was out before daylight, alone with acid from that battery in his face and eyes.  There was a house not too far away and he finally made it to the door and knocked.  The people who lived there was about to turn their back on him, but he convinced them to help.  The acid had been on his face long enough to burn not only the skin, but his eyes.

I got a call from his brother some time later telling me he was in the hospital in that town.  I hurriedly made my way to the hospital, not believing my eyes.  He was in a bad way.  Later that day he was released, yet in pain and bandaged, including his eyes.   Well, my Christmas eve plans were ruined from our yearly family get together.  But we made it through that difficult Christmas eve even if we couldn't do as normal.

The next morning we had to be at the eye doctor's office for him to check the eyes.  We were so blessed that Christmas!  He could see, not very well at all, but he still had healing time.  Back home we went and had many visitors come by that day.  My children were happy even at home.
 
Last year my niece went into labor about 4:00 in the morning on Christmas!  They got up and woke their little boy and had their Christmas gifts early and headed off to the hospital.  The baby was born later that day, but it sure made a different Christmas for all of us!  One we will never forget!  He was the most precious gift even if he did mess up our plans.

I guess what I am trying to say, no matter what comes your way, do the best you can in any situation.  God will be with you and the world will not stop turning.  It will make you stronger and appreciate the good times and "normal" times.

Christmas Memories #8

Christmas Eve was always spent at my grandmama's house.  My aunts and uncles and their families would all gather for a wonderful dinner and opening gifts.  In the early years, when grandmama was younger, she would do all the cooking for us.  Later, the adults would all bring a dish to complete the meal.  My grandmama passed away several years ago, but we still keep the tradition going in my mom's family.  We gather on Christmas Eve and all fix a dish to bring.  Sometimes we have a full meal and sometimes just fingerfoods.  It is always so much fun to see what new dishes or old favorites show up.  Always ending with fudge, lady fingers, cheese straws, pies and cakes and the list goes on.

This is a great way to have a meal with family or friends without the cost of the whole meal on one.  Let each family bring a dish or two.  You can let it be potluck or plan a menu.  Another way to cut costs for a fun and memorable Christmas!

Christmas Memories #7

I hope you are about finished with your Christmas shopping!  If not, be prepared to have plenty of patience for the long lines and maybe hours you spend for those last minute items.  

When I was a young girl, we didn't have the malls to shop.  We had Main Street with the cold walk from store to store.  I remember the first time I went to a mall.  We had to drive about an hour to get to that town.  Of course this was part of the tradition of our memorable Christmas.  One year I remember being fitted for two new sweaters with patches on the elbows!  How exciting to have something to wear that was in style.  One was gray with a little darker gray for the elbow patch, the other was a cream color with tan patches.  I wonder do kids remember what they had to wear a certain year?  Oh well, different world we live in now.

 In our little hometown, we had a Sears catalog order store.  They had a special if you ordered like on the 23rd, you could receive it there in the store on the 24th.  One item my mom ordered was a Barbie doll for my sister.  I would panic if I had waited that late hour to get my shopping done.  But I can tell you, my mother did the best she could with what she had to spend.


One positive note for the late shoppers, great savings!   Go get 'em!

Christmas Memory # 6

Many people out of work or hours cut will think it will be better for them and everyone else just to stay out of sight. This is simply not true.   One way to lift your spirit is by going to church. If you are not a member of a church, try to visit one this special time of year.  No time would be greater than now!

Of all the other posts, this one is most special to me.  Church has always been a large part of my life, with my mom and dad being the first to take me.  You have class parties, Christmas plays, caroling and the list could go on.  What more could a family do in a positive way than attend Church.  Jesus is the true reason for Christmas.  There is no Christmas if you take Christ out.

Christmas memories #5

Visit, visit, visit!  This is a wonderful time of year to visit that aunt or uncle you haven't seen since last year.  You think of it every time you drive by and think I will have time later.  No time is better than now!  It is so rewarding to visit with a homebound relative, friend or neighbor.  You will be the highlight of their day and maybe even the whole Christmas season.  BTW, take them some of your baked cookies or roasted pecans.  What better gift this season than to give of yourself.  Nursing homes are often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  I always said if you feel down and out, visit a nursing home.   I will assure you your spirits will be lifted.  The smiles and excitement you will see on those dear faces are worth more than words can express.  I can warn you....Your steps will be lighter when you leave.

Christmas Memories # 4

By the way, did you bake any cookies yet?   Something else my mom did one year (when funds were low) was bake cookies and candies for everyone.  She put them in colorful tins with a bow on top.  A nice gift all done and with very little invested.  You can take a shoebox or small box,  wrap with aluminum foil  first, especially on the inside, then wrap with your favorite Christmas paper.  You can purchase at Michael's or other craft stores small plastic bags with ties.  These make attractive presentations.  Refer to Christmas Memories # 3 for cookie recipe.                                                                             
 
Do you have a pecan tree or access to one?  If so, you can roast the pecans and give them for gifts.  They are delicious!  Any type of baked item is usually very much appreciated.  Some people never get home cooked items unless they receive them in gifts.   Raw pecans in the shell or shelled make great gifts.  This is only if you have pecan trees.  Sometimes people will give away pecans if they have an abundance.  They are just too expensive to buy for gifts.   And of course, serve them at your next party or get together.

I am listing a couple of recipes for roasted pecans.  Hope you enjoy!

Roasted Pecans

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
• salt, to taste

Preparation:

Spread the pecans on a baking pan and place pan on center rack of oven. Roast at 250°, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and become aromatic, about 60 minutes. Stir in butter until pecans are coated and all butter is melted. Return to the oven and rtoast for about 10 minutes longer.
Salt to taste while pecans are still hot. Serve warm or cooled. Store roasted pecans in a tightly sealed container. 

Sugar Coated Pecans

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 1/4 cups pecan halves
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C). Lightly grease a rimmed baking pan.
2. Combine the egg white and water in a mixing bowl; beat until fluffy. Fold in the pecans to coat evenly. Combine the sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon in a shaker or cup with a lid. Dust the pecans evenly with the sugar mixture. Spread the nuts over the prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven until toasted and fragrant, stirring every 15 minutes, about 1 hour. Cool on pan, and store in an airtight container.