I’m not the kind of gal that goes into a furniture store and picks out her home furniture.  My hubby and I find this to be a bit of a “cookie cutter” style for us.  We prefer to find unique pieces that are functional.  Of course, they need to be inexpensive.  TodayI’m going to show you how to take a few old pieces and make them into something great.  I hope this will inspire you to look around your home to repurpose some items.

Here are two apple crates that we’re using as bookcases.  My hubby and I found these in …read more

Every now and the I find some cool websites and information and I like to pass those on to you.  Here’s some that I found this weekend.  Enjoy!

The Consumerist warns us about the risk we take when we sign up for coffee subscriptions.  There is no possible way I could drink that much coffee.
I have used plastic on my windows before to help keep my heating costs down.  I never thought of using bubble wrap.  This is a pretty neat idea as it is easier to install and uses something that you probably have at home.
My husband makes great eggrolls, …read more

Sunday I attended a baby shower and they had some really cute pacifier favors and pink confetti decorating the table.  I thought the pacifier favors were so cute (and inexpensive) that I had to share them with you.  These are made using white peppermint lifesavers, mini jelly beans, melted white chocolate, and ribbon. 

Directions:

Unwrap your peppermint lifesavers and set aside.
Precut your ribbon and set aside. (You can use your craft store coupons to save money on ribbon.)  The ribbon should be about four inches long. 
Melt the chocolate.  Put a little dab of melted chocolate in the center of some of the peppermints.  …read more

Sometimes I find some great deals and I’m so excited about it that I have to share it with all you thrifty folks.  My latest deal is this oak entertainment center/armoire. 

My hubby and I dropped by the local antique/furniture/junk store this week.  We just never know what we’ll find.  I have been dropping in there frequently lately because I was looking for something for my tv to sit on.  I found a beautiful big dresser but it was $350.  Ouch.  I even considered it.  After all, it would be a lifelong beautiful piece.  Thankfully, we went back a few days …read more

Since having kids, I find myself buying quite a bit more bread. The kids enjoy sandwiches, toast, and other sorts of things made with bread. Here are some ways to save on your bread purchases.

1)  Shop at day old bread stores and close out stores. Sometimes you can find great deals at Merita stores, Big Lots, and Dollar Tree has even had some Nature’s Own bread.
2)  Look for coupons.  Just last week I was at Food Lion and found a great coupon.  It was to get a free bag of Sara Lee bagels with the purchase of a loaf of …read more

With all of my close friends, I have noticed a similarity.  My personal finances and financial decisions affect them. 
They say opposites attract and I guess that can be true of friendships as well.  I have had three close friendships.  I’m talking tight, share all secrets with girlfriends.  All three of these ladies had issues with spending.  After being friends with them for a while, I noticed that all of them began to tone down their spending, their impulsive shopping, their wild credit card spending, and they began to look for bargains on the things they purchased. 

Of course when you are …read more

Last December I moved to a small town.  There were a few stores around, but not the wide variety from which I have become accustomed.  The transition to this lifestyle was very difficult because I shop around for the best bargains on our groceries. 
With only one grocery store in town, I was left with the option of shopping there or driving 30 minutes each way.  My grocery bill had jumped 30% and something needed to be done.  It took me a few months to develop a system for saving money, but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well.

Here are some tips for saving …read more

I wrote yesterday about some Harris Teeter deals and coupon match-ups, but I think it is beneficial for you all to see that saving money can be done.  And of course, I have a picture to inspire you all towards saving more and spending less.  This time I went without my kids and the trip went SO much better!  I’m writing this after getting home at 11:45 pm, but that’s ok; giving up a little sleep was worth it! 

5 Harris Teeter 1 lb bacon, buy 2 get 3 free
$3.79 reg each
$7.58 for 5 = $1.52 each final
3 Harris …read more

Many times we want to give someone a special gift, but our budgets are limited.  Gift baskets can make nice gifts without costing a lot of money.  Of course, you will need to make them yourself.

Here is a gift basket that I recently helped my mom make for a birthday present. Included in this gift basket is a mug with matching plate, two boxes of tea, a devotional book, $10 Target gift card, and some peppermints.

Even making this gift basket yourself, you could easily spend $50 or more on these items. Here are some tips on spending less:
1)  Look for used baskets …read more

Each year we have the same two problems: 
1) My daughter outgrows almost all of her pants in the length. 
2)  It’s hard to find shorts that are long enough.
What is the deal with short shorts anyway????
This year, I decided to take some of her old jeans and try to make shorts out of them.

I cut the jeans right above the spot where she had wore out the knees.  I was just going to roll them up,but decided they might unravel so I had my mom put a stitch in the bottom.

Ta-da. Now we have cute shorts that are long enough and they …read more