Kathy Zengolewicz

Now, my children all have their own homes and sometimes its hard to get everyone together, at one time, under the same roof. Three of my children have growing families and it is tough for them to set aside time to be with their siblings. All five of my children have always had a close relationship and I didn’t want to see that end. I knew I had to find a solution for this, so I put together a family game night.

I understand that at times money is tight, so we try to keep our get-togethers as inexpensive as possible. We have decided to set one night a month aside to gather, snack and just enjoy each others company. We started this process a couple of months ago and it seems to be working well. Just the fact that they can bring their children to the family game nights helps. They get to go out for the evening and not worry about paying a sitter.

Sometimes keeping your house in tip top shape means keeping it filled with good times and great company. Fill you life with friends and family. Start a tradition of keeping in touch with the ones you love. If you are not a game playing family, that’s okay. You don’t have to play games, you just have to make it a point to see each other regularly and enjoy the company.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Kathy Zengolewicz

If you wait until the 23rd or 24th of December, you will have to fight crowds, you will have very little merchandise to choose from and you will wait in long, long lines. Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, not stress.

Now, shop when you think the stores will be less crowded, like in the early morning or late at night. Some stores are open 24 hours, if that’s the case you can probably shop at 3:00 am. If you shop in the middle of the night, who knows, maybe you can get everything done in one night. Wouldn’t that be great!

Make up a list of specific gifts for everyone and stick to that list. If you know what you are looking for, chances are it will be that much easier to find. Set a maximum price for each gift and stick to that, also. Try not to use a credit card. Those little plastic cards will get you into a financial bind. Try to work within your budget. If you can stick to the budget, you’ll be that much happier on December 26th.

If you are shopping online, make sure to check out this site: http://www.couponcabin.com and http://www.currentcodes.com/ Also, do a google search of “coupon codes” (without the quote marks) and you’ll find promotional codes for lots of terrific sites.

I hope these tips help with your shopping and keep your stress level down. Remember to stop, relax a little and enjoy the season.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Kathy Zengolewicz

Keep all produce separate from any meat in your refrigerator. Crisper drawers help protect and keep your produce moist and aid in the maintenance of freshness for longer periods of time. Mostly all fruits and vegetables can be stored in the freezer. Make sure to freeze in small pieces.

It is better to buy small quantities and eat any produce as quickly as possible after purchasing them. The flavors and nutrients start to degrade the moment they are picked.

Tomatoes should be stored, unwashed, at room temperature. Vidalia onions have a high water content and should be wrapped individually in paper towels before storing in the refrigerator. Eggplant goes bad very quickly and should be eaten with a couple of day of purchasing.

Asparagus should be stored with their tips in water and with a wet paper towel wrapped around the tops to keep them crisp. Mushrooms can be stored in a cool dry place and washed directly before use.

Lettuce should be washed as soon as possible after purchase and cleaned. I rap my lettuce head at the core, remove the core and hold it, core side up, under cold running water until the water comes out of the top. Then let it sit and drain before putting into a lettuce crisper and placing it in the refrigerator.

Cantaloupe will go from ripe to overripe quickly. Store the or any other melons at room temperature. Mangos, plums, peaches and pears can be stored in a brown bag at room temperature.

Storing your fruits and vegetables properly will help them last a little longer and save you money.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Kathy Zengolewicz

Changing your curtains or getting a new window treatment can completely change the look of a room. It doesn’t matter whether you choose sheer curtains, heavy draperies or a sheer curtain with an over drape. Window treatments express your style and also provide privacy. You can choose anything from a simple linen curtain to a faux silk drape for a stunning effect.

For the kitchen, you don’t have to go to a lot of expense. I did a makeover on my kitchen and it cost me next to nothing. Throw some paint on the walls to brighten and freshen them and change your drawer pulls. My kitchen theme is apples so I looked around and found small apple knobs and I replaced my old drawer pulls with those. Go to a linen outlet and choose a few colorful, seasonal dish towels, hand towels and dish cloths. They will definitely make your kitchen bright.

Living rooms were made for candles. Arrange a couple of pillar candles, different sizes, around the room to give it a rich look. Around this time of year you can get seasonal paper plates in all sizes to set the candles on to give them a festive charm.  If your sofa is looking a little shabby, try a new slip cover or better yet arrange a favorite quilt or afghan, corner facing down towards the cushions, across the top of the couch. This will give your living room a warm and inviting look. Remember to keep you living room lamp and coffee tables free of clutter.

Always make sure that your entry way, at the front door, is free of clutter. When the path is clear, your home will feel more welcoming.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Now that’s it’s the end of summer, stores are drastically marking down their patio furniture.  Most stores have marked their inventory down 75% percent!  I found chairs, tables, and benches, but unfortunately I could not find a matching set of anything.  Perhaps you will have better luck than I did.  I’m still hoping for an unexpected bargain somewhere.

Another low cost item to buy right now is plants.  You can find plants, trees, and shrubs at slashed prices.  Monday I purchased two blueberry bushes for less than $11 each.  I’m hoping for some yummy blueberries next summer.  It’s also a great time to plant perennials and trees.  The cooler weather doesn’t dry out plants the way that summer does and it allows plants to expand their roots.

What purchases have you considered during this fall season?

image sxc.hu

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Several years ago, my parents gave me some volunteer bushes they had growing in their yard.  I planted the small bushes in my yard and within a year or so, the bushes were tall and well developed.  The bushes didn’t cost me any money.

Volunteer plants are a great inexpensive way to help landscape your yard.  You can check with friends, neighbors, and family to see if they have any volunteer plants in their yard that you might like.  You can return the favor and by offering your extra plants to them.  Also, to help save money you can save the plastic pots from store bought plants.  Transplant the shrubs, bushes, and other plants into the pots to help save on your gardening supplies.

Have you ever used volunteer plants? 

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Keeping the Castle

You can read a little more about this event at Thrifty Mommy.  In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be discussing some of the money saving tips.

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Have you tried Restaurant.com?

Post from: Keeping the Castle

FREE ITEMS:

Revlon Nail Enamel, 0.5oz
Reg. = $4.79
Submit for Walgreens rebate ($4.79)

L’Oreal Advanced RevitaLift Clinical Action Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate, 1oz
Reg. 16.49
Sale = $12.37 (25% off)
Use 1.00/1 coupon (Redplum 8/3; SmartSouce 7/20)
Submit for Walgreens Rebate ($12.37)
FREE plus overage after rebate

Crest Pro-Health Whitening Toothpaste, 4.2 oz
Reg. =$3.79
Use coupon $0.75/1 (P&G insert 8/31)
Submit for Walgreens rebate ($3.79)
FREE plus overage after rebate

(2) Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Candle Refill, 1.5 oz
Sale = $1.99
Use B1G1 coupon (SmartSource 8/24)
Submit for Walgreens rebate ($1.00/1) x 2

Glade Candle, 4oz
Sale = $1.99
Use coupon 1.00/1 (SmartSource 9/14)
Submit for Walgreens rebate (1.00/1)

(2) Glade Plugins Scented Gel Warmer, 1 ct
Sale = $1.99
Use B1G1 coupon (SmartSource 9/14)
Submit for Walgreens rebate ($1.00/1) x 2

Powerade Drink, 32 oz
Regular = $1.69
$0.79 with Walgreens coupon (9/14)
Use coupon $1.00/1 (SmartSource 7/13)

Excedrin Tension or Express Gel Caps Pain Reliever, 20 ct
Sale = $3.99
Submit for Walgreens rebate ($3.99)

OTHER GOOD DEALS:

(2) Sun Light Dish Detergent, 12.6oz
Sale = $1.79 each
Use B1G1 Walgreens coupon (9/14) and (2) $0.25/1 coupons (SmartSource 4/20)
Final = $1.29 for two

(2) Purex Ultra Concentrate Laundry Detergent, 35-46 loads
B1G1 at $7.99
Use $1.00/2 (Smart Source 9/14)
Final = $3.50 each

(2) Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Warmer, 1 ct
Sale = $3.99
Use B1G1 coupon (SmartSource 8/24)
Submit for Walgreens rebate ($1.00/1) x 2
Final = $1.99 for 2 after rebates

Irish Spring Body Wash (18oz) or Bar Soap (8pk)
Sale = $3.99
Use Walgreens store coupon $2.00/1 (9/14)
Final = $1.99

Colgate MaxFresh or Total 2-in-1 Toothpaste, 4.6-6oz
Sale = $2.99
Use $0.75/1 coupon (SmartSource 9/7) and $2.00/1 Walgreens coupon (9/14)
Final = $0.24

Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, 12oz
Sale = $2.99
Use Walgreens store coupon $2.00/1 (9/14)
Final = $0.99Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, 7.25 oz
$0.69 with Walgreens coupon (9/14)

Van Camp’s Pork and Beans, 15 oz
$0.39 with Walgreens coupon (9/14)

Post from: Keeping the Castle

It’s a good week to shop at CVS. With the right coupons, some of the deals will end up as moneymakers. Here are my deal scenarios:

Transaction #1

Items:
2 x Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste 4oz., reg. $3.49 each, sale $2.99 x 2 = $5.98
2 x Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara, reg. $6.49 each, sale $5.99 x 2 = $11.98
1 Covergirl Wetslicks AmazeMint, $5.99

Coupons used:
Covergirl manu. coupon – $1.00
Colgate manu. coupon – $1.00
Colgate manu. printable coupon, available here – $1.50
Neutrogena $3/2 manu. coupon – $3.00
ECBs – $16.98

Out of pocket expenses (including tax) = $0.89
Total Savings (sale + coupons + ECBs) = $29.48
New ECBs generated = $15.99 ($6 for Neutrogena, $4 for Colgate, $5.99 for CoverGirl)

Transaction #2

Items:
6 x Suave body wash, 12oz, reg. $2.79 each, sale $2.00 x 6 = $12.00

Coupons used:
Suave B1G1 manu. coupon – $2.00
Suave $2/3 manu. coupon – $2.00
Suave $1/2 manu. coupon – $1.00
ECBs – $6.49

Out of pocket expenses (including tax) = $0.87
Total savings (sale + coupons + ECBs) = $16.23
New ECBs generated = $4.00

***
For this CVS round, I bought $47.47 worth of merchandise for $1.76! This is one of my best trips to CVS  yet. And I still have more than $20 worth of ECBs to use next time.

Running Totals at CVS:
Total merchandise = $486.64
Total out of pocket expenses = $188.44
Total savings = $298.20 (61%)

image used with permission via CVS Media Library

Post from: Keeping the Castle