It’s hard to believe it, but it was three years ago that I started blogging at Thrifty Mommy.  I had never blogged before, but I love to save money. 

I actually landed this job because I would send out emails ranting about the debt that Americans were in and how we were spending more money than we were making. 
The average American spends more money than they make. When will this stop? It is going to catch up with us at some time or another.
I wrote that statement three years ago.  Indeed, it has caught up with us.  We are in a …read more

 
Last month, we had an awesome prize for a $60 credit to RS Designs.  The winner of the prize was contacted yesterday and I’m pleased to announce that the winner is Lori from Moms by Heart.  Lori shares about faith, frugality, and family fun.  Sounds like a kindred spirit.  Congratulations, Lori!
Thanks again to Revka for offering such a generous giveaway.  I hope you’ll drop by her personal blog as well as RS Designs.  Revka is a self taught designer and she does a fantastic job of making cute headers, templates, mommy cards, and and so much more. 

 
Today is the last day to enter the giveaway from RS Designs.  Revka has been generous and donated a $60 credit towards her store.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity.  For more information and to enter, go directly to the giveaway article.  A winner will be chosen tomorrow.  Good luck!

images from RS Designs

Every now and then Kelly and I like to remind you of easy and cost free ways to help others.  I received another email this week reminding me of the free click through
The Breast Cancer Site that helps to pay for mammograms for those in need. 
Here are some stats for recent days:

September 14 – 4.8 mammograms
September 15 – 8.5 mammograms
September 16 – 8.1 mammograms
September 17 – 7.0 mammograms
September 18 – 8.5 mammograms
September 19 – 7.3 mammograms
September 20 – 4.5 mammograms

I know we can help increase these numbers.  Will you take just a few seconds to click on their site?  …read more

My social security number . . . now that’s a very sensitive moderately paranoid subject for me. 
I’m just curious to know, how well do you protect your social security number?  Do you have it posted on your checks?  Is it on your driver’s license?  Do you give it freely when stores ask for identification?
I’m just warning you.  This is a very touchy subject with me.  I am really holding back on the things I have to say.  So, here’s the nicest way I can say it:
I DO NOT GIVE OUT MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!!!!!!
If I were to date back to a …read more

Reader’s Digest has listed 10 money rip-offs that you should be aware of.  It is unfortunate that there are people that try to take advantage of us.  Here is the list:
1.  Child Identity Theft – Yes, there are actually people out there so greedy that they will steal a child’s SSN and use it for their own good.
2.  The Latest Work-At-Home Swindle – These are people that want to wire money to your account and have you keep a commission.  Most likely, anything that says “money transfer” is usually a phony.
3.  Fake Jury Duty Con – This is a sneaky …read more

It’s the season for shopping and many of us will do our shopping online.  There are so many websites out there that are phony.  It’s easy to be taken advantage of.  Just about anyone can open up a website and start selling stuff.  Before you click the buy button, be sure you’re informed.
Here are some tips for online shopping:

Whois.net is a site that lists the person or company registered the site and when it was registered.  Stay away from sites that were just registered.  They are probably phony sites.
Epinions.com and bizrate.com are sites that rate companies and their customer service.
Protect yourself by …read more

We can help our families by saving money and being thrifty, but we can also help our families by being aware of who’s around us.  Family Watchdog has a website that tells you the registered sexual offenders in your neighborhood. 
Just type in your address information and Family Watchdog will give you a list of sexual offenders in your area.  They will also give you their address, the distance to their home, the crime they were accused of, and they also have pictures of some of the accused. 
It is a bit frightening to know that criminals are living close to you, …read more

 
 
    
If you like the gadgets and gizmos you’ve seen on television, then you’ll like AsSeenOnTV.com.  We actually have one of these stores in our mall.  My husband likes to go in there and browse the tiny store.  If you’re looking for someone that has everything or someone that is hard to shop for, then you should try this site.  If nothing else, you’ll find something to laugh about or something that will make you say, “Now why didn’t I think of that?”

LifeWay Christian Stores is offering a $5 coupon to those that sign up for newsletters and sale information.  Just visit the LifeWay stores website, enter your information, and then make sure you check your  email so that you can confirm your subscription. 
While shopping at Lifeway, be sure and ask for their frequent shopper’s card.  Each time you make a purchase they will punch your card.  After 10 punches you will receive a percentage off your total purchase.  I saved my card for the after Thanksgiving sale.  I used it in combination with the merchandise that was already marked down and …read more