A Lot of Changes = Hiatus

So, I have been noticeably absent lately. It is not because I haven't been busy doing my normal frugal things, or have lost interest in the blog. It is because a lot of changes have been happening in my life.

First of all, I think the thing that has spun my life into a tizzy is the fact that I am now roughly 4 months pregnant, which I found out about the time the blog went silent. This is my first baby and I'm very excited and basically it has been a big focus of mine.

Secondly, we've decided as a family to move all the way across the country from the Mitten State to the Lone Star State. It is a huge decision and we are in the middle of a gigantic move.

In essence, this chaos has thrown me for a loop. Truthfully, I've not done too much in the direction of spending much money on either cause...I've been saving money like crazy. I've been to the doctor and bought a couple of this and thats at garage sales but otherwise the pocketbook has been tight in preparation for the big events.

I know that God has big things in store for me and my little family!

Photo Credit to adamr.stone

Weekly Deal Round-up

I usually only work at 2 stores Meijer & Kroger, but that is not to say that other stores around Midland don't have great deals that I partake in. Here are some other great deals for national chains this week from other great sites!

Target by Fiddledeedee!
Walmart by My Frugal Adventures
Walgreens by Southern Savers
Riteaid by Southern Savers

Staying Motivated

Today I'm writing about something that is very personal. I know that at times everyone has felt this way, so I thought I would share.

Sometimes it is so hard to go on, and you feel like you are getting nowhere. I feel like the Israelites wandering in the desert, wondering how long I will have to wonder and if I'll ever get into the Promised Land.

I've not had to wander 40 years ... yet. I still get beat down at times. I wonder if I'm doing the right thing or if things will ever get better. I think it's hard when times are tough and you don't know what's around the next corner. It's difficult to stay motivated.

That's my problem right now, motivation. If I knew how long this would last it would be easier, but all of the uncertainty makes everything feel like all of these hard times will stretch out into eternity.

To all of my friends out there struggling through hard times. Keep the faith, and keep hope. We all go through these times and it's important to stay strong.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10

Photo Credit to Josh Sommers

FRUGAL LIVING: Spring Cleaning

A frugal person's best friend for Spring cleaning are: Vinegar and Baking Soda!

I am not a person who never uses any chemical cleaners but I try to only buy them on sale and with coupons. I like my Clorox Bleach, Windex, Lysol (my BFF), and others.

Homemade cleaners are very cheap, though!


Here's a site with 1001 Vinegar Tips. Some of my favorites:

• Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.
• Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes.
• Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.
• Discourage ants by spraying undiluted white distilled vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, around appliances and wherever you find the pests coming in.
• To remove grime, mildew, and scum from the tub, tile, shower curtain or door, wipe with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.
• Some carpet stains can be removed with a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1/4 cup salt or baking soda.

Photo credit to G & A Sattler

Meijer Deals for Midland Michigan April 26-May 2

Meijer has some pretty good deals this week (especially their 10 for 10) but most are Meijer brands. Remember at Midland Meijer you can use coupons and they will be doubled up to 50 cents!

DEALS

Milk $1.98

Bread $.98

Dole Classic Iceberg Lettuce $.98

Eggs $.98

Ears of Corn $.30 cents each

Boneless Skinless Chicken $1.79/lb

Boneless Chuckeye Steaks $1.99/lb

Bagged Cereal $2.66

MEIJER BRAND STEALS

Meijer Shredded Cheese $1.50

Meijer Chips $2

Meijer Pop $2.25

Meijer Franks $1.66

Meijer Honey $1.89

Meijer Ice Cream $2.50

Meijer Ice Cream Sandwiches $2.50

Meijer Polish or Smoked Sausage $2

Meijer Pasta $.50

Meijer Canned Veggies $.60

Meijer Butter $1.79

Meijer Frozen Hashbrowns/Potatoes $2

10 For $10 (Get the 11th Free)

• Meijer Liquid Dish Soap
• Meijer Skillet Basics
• Meijer Frozen Veggies
• Meijer Soft Cookies
• Meijer Pound Cake
• Meijer Canned Fruit
• Meijer Applesauce
• Meijer Pastry Treats (like Pop Tarts)
• Meijer Pretzels
• Meijer Cheese Puffs
• Meijer Pizza Crusts
• Meijer Cinnamon Rolls
• Meijer Biscuits
• Meijer Crescent Rolls
• Meijer Facial Tissues
• Meijer Chicken or Tuna Chunks
• Meijer Salad Dressing
• Meijer Croutons
• Blackberries
• Avocados
• Meijer Heat & Serve Sausages
• Meijer Microwave Popcorn
• Meijer Gravy
• Meijer Bread Crumbs
• Meijer Spring Water 6 Pack
• Meijer Concentrate Drinks
• Kellogg's Cereal in a Cup
• Alpo Prime Cuts
• "M" Plastic Spoons or Forks
• Meijer Essential Paper Towels

5 Best Tips to a Successful Garage Sale

Photo Credit to angusf

I've been working on my garage sale for next weekend, but I'm an avid yard sale shopper. I was thinking about what makes a good garage sale.

There are tons and tons of tips to have a successful garage sale. It can be a lot of work, but if you plan it right you can make quite a bit of extra money. I think my BEST advice comes from seeing what others do wrong! Here are my 5 best tips! Good luck

1. Advertise. Definitely utilize every free site you can. There are tons of places where you can tell everyone about your upcoming garage/yard sale without costing you a dime. On top of that I would recommend that you invest in your local paper. It might cost, but it will be worth it!
2. Signs are important! This is one of the most important things because if people can't find your sale they won't come to it. Firstly, signs should be large, easy to read, and have all important information. Make sure you can write in wide stroke big block letters on preferably white background (with possibly a bright colored border ... I do like those fluorescent colors for accents). It sound have an arrow pointing the way to the sale (very helpful), say Yard/Garage Sale, Address, and Times. Make sure it is readable/noticeable while you are driving by (everyone else will be driving!). Put a sign (possibly consider ballons, flags, etc) in front of your house, at the end of your block, and on all corners to the next main road. Consider making more paths if you live in a sub division with multiple entrances. Remember to check your city for any rules concerning signs. Take them down when you are done!
3. Organize your items. Organize your items so that they make sense and are easy to see and clearly marked with price. Make items look attractive and clean them up as well as organize your tables, hang up your clothes if possible, etc. You can either make a big sign that says something like 'All Books .25 cents' or you can individually mark each item, but NOTHING makes a potential customer walk away faster than having to ask about a price! Big items need big price tags, and small items can have stickers (they even make pre-printed ones) that are visible without picking the item up.
   
4. Don't overprice it! Remember that even though you liked something that it is still old junk. You will sell a lot more stuff if you price your stuff reasonably. Remember that your stuff is not unique and a person can go down the street to the next garage sale to get some old sneakers for half the price of yours. You don't need to underprice, but the key here is quantity and to get rid of stuff while making some money. If it's something you still can't bear to part with...don't sell it!
5. Bigger is better! People are drawn in by big items, so the more you have the more you can attract people from the street. Put them up front so everyone can see them and beckon people like a beacon of trash. Also, the more people you can get involved the more it will draw in people. For instance, try to organize a block sale, or a sale with a few neighbors, or friends. You can share costs, and people love to stop at one place and get multiple household sales.

I hope these help. Here are some resources that may help you.

• Garage Sale Pricing Guide
• Garage Sales Tracker
• Craigslist
• Yard Sale AD
  

Great Deal: $25 Restaurant.com Gift Certs for $3

$25 Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for $4.00

60% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates with code BONUS and pay $4 thru 4/26/09. PLUS $15 Dale & Thomas Gift Certificate FREE.



This is a good deal. Unfortunately for those of us in the mid-michigan area there is not much to choose from in the restaurants. In Detroit I know there was a lot more when I lived there. Hurry, offer ends soon!

FREEBIE: Free Chicken at KFC

Stop into KFC on April 27th to try their new Kentucky Grilled Chicken. KFC wants you to unthink the way you think about them and realize they have more to offer than just fried food. Because of this they are offering everyone who comes in that day a free sample of their new fare.

No coupon necessary...to learn more visit the site:

http://www.unthinkkfc.com/

Enjoy!!

FREEBIE: Reusable Bag from Walgreens + 15% Off

Walgreens has a special promotion called GO GREEN, SAVE GREEN for Wednesday, April 22 (Today) Earth Day.

Just print the coupon HERE and you will receive a free reusable bag with any purchase plus 15% off all of eligible store purchases, or 20% off of Walgreens brand purchases!

If you are unfamiliar with how to save money at Walgreens, check out one of my favorite sites: Southern Savers. This will give you a good idea of the deals and how to save money even before you get your 15-20% off!

Good luck and Hurry in...offer is only good today for the free bag and the 15-20% off!

Disney Flicks

I finally had a chance to view 3 recent Disney flicks, and I have seen them all in the last couple of weeks. I am usually the first person lined up to see a new Disney movie, but lately it seems that they fall by the side, and I don't get out the the movie theater very often with the high costs.

This is what I thought of them (from my favorite, to least)

Bolt

Wasn't expecting Bolt to be my favorite but I really liked it. It's cute and it's funny and pretty much everything I expect when I watch a Disney animated film. It had heart and it had laughs. I especially loved the cat and the hamster as the sidekicks to Bolt. Together they formed an unlikely friendship. The premise is a bit far fetched but Disney pulls it off this time.

Wall-E

Wall-E was one I've wanted to see since it came out and never got around to it. I thought it would be my favorite and I will say it is a very, very close second to Bolt, and that may only be due to the fact that I didn't expect much from Bolt and I had high expectations for Wall-E. In any case, Wall-E is super cute. It has a TON of heart. Wall-E might be the best Disney character ever. There is a not-so-subtle message about how we all rely on too much technology and are fat and lazy, but other than that it was a nice story about robot love <3. style="font-weight: bold;">

Ratatouille

I heard from lots of people that this movie was good, but a little long. I agree, but I was a bit disappointed. It was cute, but in my opinion it lacked something. It was a bit too much and it tried to have the heart but didn't quite make it. It tried, maybe too hard, to fit the cookie cutter film, and just was missing. I feel like it meandered in the middle, and I can't explain why but I just felt it the most mediocre of the 3 films (though kids will love it!).




Swagbucks Challenge Update: 53/220 Swagbucks (to earn a $20 Target Giftcard) so far!