Don’t get me wrong, I love a good cup of Pike Place Roast in the morning, as much as the next gal. However, the economy is crappy, gas is pricey and stops for gourmet coffee are not an option. Does that mean that you cannot have your gourmet coffee, at all? Nope! You can have all of the gourmet, right in the comfort of your own home, while saving money. Buy whole coffee beans. You get more for your money and the taste is a world of difference, compared to already ground coffee. Buy a cheap grinder, if you do not own one. It will pay for itself after a few pots. Grind your beans. Buy the espresso beans. They cost the same and provide a richer flavor. For espresso based drinks, use less water than you would for a regular cup of coffee.... [Read more]

I hope you can all forgive my recent lack of posting. I have been blessed with the job of planning a charity event to benefit two very special little boys. This has added a whole new dimension to my efforts at being thrifty. Everyday kind of thrifty is hard enough, but meeting others’ expectations,  impressing party guests and staying within budget is quite a task. Here are a few things that I have learned so far. Perhaps it will help you in your own party planning endeavors. I’ve learned to use connections to get things done at more reasonable rates. There is no shame in asking friends and family members to lend their talents to your cause. As long as you make them feel appreciated, they are usually glad to help. My bother in... [Read more]

…is my new computer desk and exercise bike! Yes, indeed, I scored some sweet deals this week. Let me just start by saying that we are the fortunate recipients of many hand me downs, especially kids’ clothing. I have friends and family members who purposely save their kids’ old clothes for us. In fact, we are blessed that it usually ends up being an over abundance of clothing. So we do what they did and pass it on to others who may be able to use them. I am not too proud to take a hand me down item. In fact, I have really gotten accustomed to them. It is so nice not to spend hundreds of dollars on school clothes, every time a kids has a growth spurt. We have also been blessed to have furniture handed down, since we were first... [Read more]

Sheesh! Ten years? Where has the time gone? Today, my husband and I celebrate ten years of marriage. In that short amount of time, we have spent much accomplished much. We’ve created seven humans, purchased three houses, sold two houses, maxed out several credit cards, paid off almost all of those cards, gone grocery shopping over 520 times, spent over 15,000 dollars in doctor bills, bought four cars, saved a few thousand dollars, opened a 401k and started two businesses. I look back on all of the money that we have spent in only ten years and it makes me ill to think of the next forty or more. Our kids are still young. We have not even begun to know what it is to struggle to afford raising our kids. There will be cars, proms, college... [Read more]

One of my favorite cuts of beef is the boneless chuck roast. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to make and is so versatile! I stick the roast in a crock pot with some garlic, salt and pepper. I put it on the lowest setting before I head to bed and cook the roast overnight. The next morning, I have a tender, juicy roast. The only other prep work, is shredding the beef. Here are some of my favorite ways to use this yummy main ingredient: Roast beef hoagies: Saute red bell pepper, onion and then mix in with the beef. Line hoagie rolls with provolone cheese and top with the beef mixture. Good ol’ fashioned dinner: Use beef drippings to whip up some gravy. Add some steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. Viola! Sunday dinner at its finest. Chile... [Read more]