I'm the mother of three little boys. I love all things frugal and take joy in life's simple pleasures. We are a homeschooling family and are currently looking for a farm property to begin homesteading. We're all excited about our new adventure...I'm sure I will be posting more about our farm as things happen!
It sure is worth it, and I agree, the "sacrifice" that most people speak of, once you're out of the habit, is no sacrifice at all!
My boys all have special needs and when my twins were infants, I considered going back to work (because of all of the leftover medical bills that insurance didn't cover), but there was not a daycare around that would take two infants who where high medical needs...and two infants who were healthy would have cost me more in daycare than I could have made! So, I stayed home and have not looked back. Its been an amazing experience and I savor the opportunity to learn new things to save money and make the journey even more enjoyable! Thanks for sharing your story! ... View related article.
YAY!!! Love garage/yard/thrift/church sales SOOO much!
Last weekend, I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, but my dad and I always go out on the rounds...I am not looking for clothes or toys now as we are moving soon and I don't want to pack it all up, but I spent about $2 and got a bunch of stuff! I am usually looking at kids clothes and kid stuff, so I really don't ever look at the other stuff, but had a blast! I got a large baggie (gallon size) full of "country" cookbooks (YAY, we are moving to a farm and I was looking for vegetarian cookbooks to use our home grown veggies!) for 50cents. Found another Vegetarian cookbook and organic gardening book for a quarter each...a melon baller for free (I've been looking for one!) a little gift plaque for my aunt for a dime...just a bunch of cool, fun little stuff and I spent all of $2...YAY...POWER TO THE YARD SALERS!!! ... View related article.
Great story! We love our farmers markets as well. My boys love picking out new things and last year we tried new melons that I'd never even heard of... we had so much fun! Thanks for your story! ... View related article.
I do many of the same things and YES...even though I don't absolutely HAVE to do this anymore, it makes me appreciate EVERYTHING so much more. Things are simpler and less complicated and I love that! I love your lawn-mowing chant! I actually love doing things like mowing the lawn and shoveling snow...it is fabulous exercise and its getting something done at the same time...I LOVE this!
Good for you. I have goosebumps reading your story. I don't know you, but I am proud of you. You've got a good heart. Keep up the good work! Hugs, Blessings and bare feet, Jen ... View related article.
I love the gift box idea...I've done this for a long time but have let it slide lately...you've inspired me to keep it at least partially full. I usually go to Bath & Body Works when they have their semi-annual sale going on (Ha...it started today!) and just spend maybe $15 or $20...you can get lots of great stuff for great prices.
We drink a lot of water here too. I don't drink soda, although my husband does, but we buy it when it is on sale. I won't pay more than $3.96 for a case, and I try to use a coupon on top of that. My husband is diabetic and gets tired of water, so the diet soda he drinks is a bit of variety for him. I keep the kiddos away from it, I don't think they need the chemicals and additives. One of my twins loves lime juice in his water. I found dried lime juice on clearance for 75 cents and I had a dollar off coupon. I bought two of them and that was getting the product for free plus 50 cents off of my other groceries...its a zero calorie additive (no preservatives in this product) with a great big flavor kick...well worth it for free. And I always have fresh lemon and lime around here because I cook a lot of veggies and use citrus juice for flavor. I am going to check out addall.com as well...
Necessity certainly is the mother of invention. Good for you for coming up with ways to make this work for you! One other option for entertainment: if you have a YMCA in your town, I'm sure you could get a family membership for free with your income. This would be a great way to get the girls moving! Just a thought. God Bless! ... View related article.
I swear by Swansons...I'm sure there's a website. They are based in Fargo, ND....Great products, great prices...right now they are running a half off and buy one get one free sale. There are some things that are still cheaper to get at our local Sam's Club. The melatonin we use to help one of our special needs children sleep is such a bargain at Sam's...Swansons has a good price, but Sam's is still about half off of that. Good luck! ... View related article.
This is in response to the responder who asked if you really get paid for online surveys... I have never chosen to receive money, but I have chosen prizes, things I can use or barter. The last thing I got in the mail was a rubbermaid container (a 9"x13" rectangular one, perfect for taking a salad to a party) with an insulated carrying case. For free, I'll take it! I can't spend a whole lot of time online (I've got 6 year old twins and a toddler...not a lot of time available!) but when I do sit down, I make a list of the things I have to do...find freebies, take surveys, answer email, barter stuff...so that I am sure to use my time online wisely, and so I get all the things done that I'd like to accomplish. But, yes, there are reputable online survey companies. Don't get fooled into giving them any personal info. You probably have to give your address, name and email address when you register, but other than that...they don't need anything else...they do ask for demographic info, so they know what surveys to send you...and I don't have time to answer all the surveys I get. I'm the main shopper (grocery, household goods) in our home, I'm a 30 year old female with children and I'm a stay at home parent with a professional husband....with that demographic info...I've hit the survey gold mine. They don't have to know that I am disgusted by the conspicuous consumption of our society and that I'm not buying anything anyone's selling...but again... they don't know that and my survey answers pay just as much as anyone elses! Good stuff. ... View related article.
