Socialism Illustrated......

Unemployed? Be Thankful if Not!

I read the news yesterday and saw that "533,000 jobs were lost in November, the biggest one-month decline in nearly 34 years"!! In the current recession we are in, a total of 1.6 million jobs have been lost! And there is more job cuts coming in not only some large companies but even the smaller ones.

Now is the time to "plan" for possible scenarios with your family. Learn how to feed your family on less because groceries is the one place that most people can really cut down costs! Also, make sure you are out of debt and don't put anything on credit. Save, save, save, you will need those greenbacks to live on in case of a job loss. And most importantly: PRAY!

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/05/news/economy/jobs_november/index.htm

Drunk with Consumerism

I posted this last November around this time on my other blog: Christian Homekeeper. It seemed like America still needs to hear the same message and I could use the reminder also lol.

Well it's "Black Friday" and most Americans were shopping today (except me lol). I looked online for a few deals I wanted but they were gone before I could even click on them to purchase! I saw so many deals for my daughter and photo printers for $10 that I felt that uneasy feeling in my stomach, that I refer to as the monster.

"What do you mean monster?" you may be saying. The monster of wanting to put things on a credit card. The "oh I will pay it off later.......this is just too good of a deal to pass up right now!" The one that subjects you to the chains of debt. However, thank the Lord the words rang through my mind of lessons learned in recent years.....If you can't afford it, don't buy it!

How many people today whipped out the plastic? How many got drunk with consumerism today? I looked on a few news websites today to see what I expected to see: people getting into fights over deals, shoving each other, mass crowds lined up for hours to buy buy BUY!!!!! I gotta have it! I gotta get it! GIVE ME GIVE ME!

One of the saddest pictures I saw of this whole ordeal today was one of a small toddler asleep and slung over his mother's arm while she shopped and shopped and shopped, all the while ignoring the fact that her baby could use a nice bed! Chances are she woke him early from his bed to start the spending spree, caring for who?? Herself? The deals? Surely not her child.......

Well I will "try" and step off my soapbox now. I refuse to give into the mad rush of buying, most doing it on credit cards and piling up debt and pulling the chains of their slavery even tighter. Charge it!

My question is, What Would Jesus Do? Could you really see Jesus rushing into a store pushing others in a mad frenzy to get a deal? Nah, I didn't think so either. Can you hear Jesus saying "Charge it!?"

FYI: Mastercard reported their customers alone were spending 20 BILLION dollars TODAY!! Guess who is happy today? Can you say MASTER CARD?? =0 As Pastor Davis said in one of his classes: You are stupid if you pay interest! There is a lot of stupid people huh?

I saw a picture of 1 guy paying with CASH! It was so odd that they videoed it and put it on a clip online HA!!!!! I say for that guy YOU GO!! Way to only buy something you CAN AFFORD! ; )

"Oh wait....how are we going to afford to pay for all this stuff we put on the credit card today dear?" "Why honey, you can just get a job and put the kids in daycare.....!" "What a great idea, let someone else raise my kids so I can go work to have MORE STUFF!"

Free Christina Aguilera Perfume Sample

Get a free sample of Christian Aguilera's new perfume "Inspire" by clicking on the link below, you will recieve an email confirming your free sample is on the way.  Enjoy!

http://www.christina-aguilera-perfumes.com/us/sample

My Couponing Experience

The past 2 months, I've been couponing and I got the same result as I have had in the past:  I spend MORE money a month than I normally would.  Yes, I may have gotten 10 boxes of instant oatmeal for 57 cents each and Kellogg's cereal at $1 a box and $1 off here, another 50 cents there but in the end......I spent more on groceries this month than I have in a very long time!

I only spend $80 a month on groceries a month for my family of 3.  However, with couponing, I'm buying stuff I don't really need and wouldn't have bought.  For instance, we have a large 50 pounds bag of oats that I make oatmeal with.  I don't normally buy the instant oatmeal but because of the coupons I did.  Most of the time coupons are for processed foods, which we don't eat normally.  When have you seen a coupon for something natural and not packaged up?  I mean most of the coupons are for boxed muffin mixes, canned this and that, cereals, etc.

So, with that being said, I think my best deals from coupons comes from Walgreen's and that is primarily just toiletries, not grocery items.  Savings on toothpaste, shampoo and such like are great and coupons in that instance are a great use of my money.

Also, even though all the couponing work had been done for me online, I still had to print the coupons, clip them, organize them and then at the store go through massive piles of them and on and on.  Then I walk out of there spending more money a month then normal and my cart full of processed items.  That's not a deal to me.

I can see using the occasional deal and coupons for shampoo and things I normally buy but why would I spend each week doing this massive coupon hunt when I can feed my family already WITHOUT coupons on $80 a month!?

For the time this next month, I would have spent getting the coupon deals, I'm going to enjoy my extra money that I'm not spending on my coupon deals and get me a Starbuck's coffee or a book lol. =0

Giveaway

In celebration of my new website address for my other blog, I'm doing a giveaway over there, go check it out!


http://www.christianhomekeeping.com/2008/11/celebration-giveaway.html

Benefiber Free Sample

Get a free sample of Benefiber here:

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid56908.aspx

Also, make sure to check Wal-mart's free sample page often to get the free samples they offer. There are several more but I didn't want to post them all, you can go check it out for yourself and bookmark the page to check twice a month:

http://walmart.triaddigital.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx

NutraSweet Swirl Freebie

Get a free sample of the New NutraSweet Swirl here:

http://www.nutrasweetswirl.com/

Vote and Get Krispy Kreme Donut Free!

Not only will you get free Starbuck's coffee for voting on Nov. 4th but you can get a free Krispy Kreme donut too! Just show them your "I Voted" sticker on Nov 4th for your free donut!

Vote and Get Free Starbuck's Coffee!

You may have heard by now, but in case you haven't:

If you vote on November 4th, just go to your local Starbuck's and tell them you voted and you will get a free Tall brewed coffee! So get out there and vote for McCain of course! ;) Then go grab that cup of joe!

Get $5 Rebate for CrockTober!

In celebration of "CROCKTOBER", Rival is giving you a $5 rebate when you purchase a Rival crock pot ($24.50 or greater)! All you will need is your original receipt, UPC code from the box and then the rebate form printed out below and mail it in to receive your $5! I just bought a crock pot today and was going to post about that and while checking out Rival's website, I saw the rebate offer, so I'm glad to get $5 back! ; )

Go to the link below and then towards the bottom middle you will see the Rebate offer, download the pdf page and print!

http://www.crock-pot.com/

Happy Savings!

Free Samples Website

I've actually used this website for several years now, getting lots of free samples by mail! I recommend it and also make sure to sign up for their free newsletter:

http://www.all-free-samples.com/

Free 'Tall' Cappuccino (or coffee, tea, espresso, latte)

Make sure to click below and print out your free complimentary drink from Barnes & Noble Cafe'! It says complimentary cappuccino but you will see in the fine print, you can get either a tall-size: caffe' latte, cappuccino, espresso, freshly brewed coffee or hot tea.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/email/nav.asp?r=1&PID=24816&r=1

Enjoy!

Also, you will get the 15% off one item coupon for Barnes & Noble.

Coupons and Freebies

Why do all the work yourself when others have done it for you and they offer it for FREE!? I just started doing some "couponing" when I found I did not have to waste my time trying to find the deals because others have already done it for us! ;)

Go sign up for your free account at Coupon Mom and you will have access to free printable coupons, and weekly deals at your local stores. Coupon Mom has been in the media many times, you can see some of the videos here:







Another favorite of mine is 'Money Saving Mom'. Be sure to check out her blog and learn about weekly deals and freebies!

This week, I got free Kotex pantiliners, Wet ones trial size for about 25 cents, and Arm and Hammer detergent for 99 cents!

I've always despised coupon clipping and all the work involved but since these ladies have done the work for us, it is just up to us to print and/or clip those coupons and get the deals!! I'm all for that!

Glenn Beck Must Reads

I feel that everyone should read these 3 articles from Glenn Beck about our economic crisis:

What Happened?
What's Coming?
What Can I Do to Prepare?

Some quotes from the articles that resound truth:

"Our political system was not designed around the people in power or really even us. It began with the core belief that we were created and given rights by God. For America to truly fulfill its promise we must restore our faith in the only thing that is solid, unchanging and real: God.
As we find ourselves not trusting our leaders, institutions or even our currency, remember the secret is simple and found as close as your pocket or purse. How appropriate that on the symbol of our present troubles we find the answer: IN GOD WE TRUST."

Some Americans have been trying to push God out of everything to do with our country, from schools to courthouses. When that is the ONE thing we should NOT push out but draw closer too! A good thing about the Great Depression, is that it drove more people to church and God.


More quotes from Glenn Beck's articles:

"We just need to focus on a few out of fashion American values such as thrift, value and moderation"

On the mortgage crisis:

"Our current economic crisis was caused by politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, who perverted the American Dream by treating home ownership as an undeniable right rather than what it really is, a privilege."

"Call me crazy but if you need to count child support money that's intended for your child, or are in such bad economic shape that you're relying on welfare payments to make ends meet or are unemployed, maybe, just maybe, you shouldn't be buying a house. Too bad our politicians and the 'best and brightest' on Wall Street couldn't figure that out!"

"So when federal regulators began to warn the executives at Fannie and Freddie about the increasing risks of non-payment by subprime borrowers the companies did nothing and when the regulators took their concerns to congress their warnings were met with scorn and contempt. (see video below) The politicians who received the most political contributions from Fannie and Freddie, by pure coincidence, just happened to be their biggest defenders: Chris Dodd (D-$133,900), John Kerry (D-$111,000) and Barack Obama (D-$105,189)."

The bottom line on the cause of this crisis:

"...it's greed that has been shown to be at the root of our present economic uncertainty"

Frugal Birthday Party

It is time again for my daughter's birthday and I'm doing another "frugal" party. Last year, I spent just $7 decorating. This year, I'm re-using those decorations. Then for the cake, we are making cupcakes with icing and then serving Kool-Aid. It will cost us about $4.

I also do not give out party favors. I have never understood WHY other kids are supposed to get gifts on my daughter's birthday!? So save your money, unless you really want to throw it away on stuff that sooner or later gets thrown away anyway lol. :)

I also had a major victory this week! I had bought several presents for my daughter, in addition to the ones my parents had bought. Then I looked at my daughter's room and all the presents my parents got her, and then knowing others will be bringing gifts to her party and I said to my self:

"SELF.....she doesn't need these toys!"

I have since returned them to Wal-Mart and saved my money!

Homemade Pizza

Why pay $20 for something that you can easily make yourself, all the while saving money!? Pizza is one of those things that is so easy to make, yet so few do it. It takes me about 10 minutes to make the pizza and then less than 15 to bake it. It is one of my "quick" meals and we are having some tonight!

Not only is the crust homemade and whole wheat, but the sauce is homemade and I shred my own cheese. That is how you save money! Why pay double the amount to have someone else shred your cheese for you, when you can buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself in a food processor in less than a minute??

You will also find that your homemade pizza, is larger than Dominoe's or Pizza Hut's. This one pizza feeds my family with leftovers for the next day!

You can put the pepperoni on the sauce and then top it with cheese:

Or you can load the cheese first and then top with pepperoni (or other topping of your choice):

You can find the recipe here.

Frozen Produce

A great way to save money on your grocery budget is buying frozen produce. We buy mostly frozen fruits and vegetables. However, I do buy certain items "fresh" for salads and snacking, such as spinach, cucumbers, celery and carrots. Then for fruit, I buy my bananas, kiwi, oranges and apples "fresh". The rest are mostly frozen and here is why:

Some of you know I was a personal trainer a few years ago and I also studied Nutrition for a full year. What I learned then and still practice today is eating a large portion of my vegetables (and fruit) in the frozen form. The reason for this is because as soon as the produce is ready to be picked, it is flash frozen and thus locks in the (more) nutrients. Fresh produce is still nutritious but the LONGER it sits out, the lower the nutrient content. As for canned produce, I only buy canned tomato products and canned pumpkin. (Growing your own vegetables would be the "optimal" healthy thing to do. I did that last year growing my own tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers but didn't do it this year.)

Let's think about the process here for "fresh" produce: The produce is ready to be gathered/picked. It is then hauled to a truck and then transferred to the warehouse or processing plant. Then from there it goes to each individual company and then from there put on another truck to whatever state and then eventually makes it to the store! That is a lot of time, whereas the other process of freezing is immediate.

There are numerous articles on this online, at the library in books and magazines and even some news stories but here are a few I came across if you would like more reading on the subject:

This one has a great list (at the bottom of the article) of which vegetables you can buy frozen:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/frozen-vegetables-are-hot

http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100171934

http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/great-nutrition-on-ice/eccedc606a046110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/nutrition.recipes/grocery.guru

http://www.blurtit.com/q267268.html

Then here is a great video by Prevention's Nutrition Director on how frozen vegetables are just as healthy, and in most cases, healthier than fresh:

http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/nutrition-tips-video/19822caa123c8110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/nutrition.recipes/grocery.guru

Cash Crate New Policies

Cash Crate has changed a few things, for starters you can now get your payments through Paypal! I've already switched from getting checks to getting paid through Paypal.

The other change I was not so happy about. They have changed the minimum payout to $20, it used to be just $10. So to get a check, you first have to earn $20. I'm earning a lot from my referrals, so thank you whoever you 35 people are!

If you want to sign up to take surveys and do offers to earn money for free, click on my Cash Crate link below to sign up.

Greed Begats Debt!

You must go and read Mary Hunt's post about the current economic "crisis". She tells it like it really is and then goes on to give some tips for the months to come.

http://www.moneyrulesdebtstinks.com/?p=392


Also to note, I was never in approval of debt that you couldn't immediately pay off. If you will read my "Increasing Your Credit Score" series, you will see that I clearly laid out that you need to have the money in savings to pay the card off in FULL immediately if an emergency arose. If you don't have the funds to cover the amount owed on the credit card you are using to improve your score, you really should NOT be worrying about your score but rather getting some CASH saved up. Most people with debt, could not pay off what they owe in a year even. So please understand my viewpoint for debt and the process I did to improve my score. I wholeheartedly agree with Mary Hunt's post above, America needs to get a grip on GREED!

Blog Break

I'm on a blog break, I expect to post again on 9-17.

Grocery Tips Video from Money Talks

Meal Planning 101; Step #8

This is the easy step:

Go shopping!

Again, I do my grocery shopping at Walmart and Winco. I'm armed with my list telling me at which store to get what. Then I complete my shopping for the full month, except for things like bananas and other fresh produce that I will need to buy 2-3 times a month, I reserve about $10 for that.

We buy whatever meat is on sale or running cheap. Take last month, we found a roast and then it was sliced and that one roast lasted us 5 meals because I wrapped 4 slices and put them in the freezer. Each package was a meal along with potatoes or rice and veggies. I also like getting thin boneless pork chops and a 5 pound package of ground turkey. We eat meat 1-2 times a week but most of are diet is based around beans, fish, eggs and other sources of protein.

For cheese, I get slabs of it, which is the cheapest way to get it that I have seen. I usually buy one slab of cheddar and one slab of mozzarella for pizzas for the month. They last us the whole month!

Meal Planning 101; Step #7

Now that you have your Grocery List, you will want to shop at the store with the best prices for the items you need to buy.  That brings us to the next step:

Make a price book 

I shop at 2 stores for my monthly grocery shopping; Walmart and Winco.  I might go to another, if there is an unbelievable deal or if I'm having a craving or have extra money for a treat. 

I make a list of different foods and items and go through Walmart and then Winco and looking at the unit and/or ounce price, I write down the cheapest one.  Then when I get home I compare and see which store has which item for the cheapest.  Here is an example: I know that honey is cheaper at Walmart by comparing the price per ounce with Winco's cheapest honey.  Then Winco has the cheapest peanut butter.

You should only have to do this once and then on each monthly visit to do your shopping, note any changes (if you have time) in the prices.  Then every 3 months, you should do a complete price book check and see if there are changes.  You would be suprised!  I've seen Walmart change things from one month to the next, sometimes by a dollar or more.

Cash Crate

I'm sure most of you have heard of Cash Crate, but I decided to try it out for myself after years of doing surveys and getting paid and heard good things about Cash Crate! Making your first $10 is easy and you get your check the next month! I first heard about this from Crystal over at Biblical Womanhood and now I'm signed up.

If you want to sign up for free and complete the free offers and earn money, click on my referral link below. That way they know that I referred you! ;)

http://www.cashcrate.com/719187

I suggest making an email account to use for this, that way your regular one is for personal use and this one is just for surveys! Happy earnings!!

Oh I almost forgot.....easy way to do this is, sign up, then choose the free offers and do those. I haven't done any others than the free ones and you can make money that way. Don't do the ones that ask for your social, at least I didn't feel safe doing those..........I just did the ones that are simple and surveys.

Meal Planning 101; Step #6

You have your meal list for 30 days, now you are going to do Step #6:

Make a grocery list

Since you have planned your meals around your inventories, it will be easy to make your grocery list. You know what you don't have on hand and need to buy. Take out a piece of paper and make your list. I like to have sections on my list such as:

Freezer/cold items
Canned items like tomato sauce
Produce

You get the idea! When you go to the grocery store you aren't running back and forth because you have an organized list. Then once you come to a specific section of the grocery store, you don't have to scan your entire list to see what you need from that aisle, it is already grouped together!

Desserts

• Cookies
• Pies
• Coffee cakes
• Brownies
• Cakes
• Jello
  

Dinner Meals

• Split Pea Soup, bread or sandwiches
• Pizza
• Navy Bean Soup, bread or sandwiches
• Spaghetti, cheese bread
• Beans, rice and salsa
• Taco Casserole
• Chili and baked potatoes
• Salmon chowder, corn on the cob and/or bread
• Broccoli and rice casserole (tuna usually)
• Meat, veggies, rice or potato
  

Snack Choices

• Popcorn, cheese or almonds
• Nachos or just chips and salsa
  
• PB on bread, milk
• Fruit, hard-boiled egg
• Yogurt, almonds
• Shakes
• Grapes, cheese
• Salad, almonds or cheese
• Granola bars
• Hummus, veggies
  

Liquid Hand Soap

If you are using the standard large size soap bar, then this recipe will work fine. However if you use smaller soaps or a specialty one, you may have to add more or less water depending on the consistency you get when it is cooled. One bar of soap makes us around 10 cups of liquid soap and that only costs 30 cents!

• 1 bar soap (whatever soap you prefer, I use anti-bacterial)
• 10 cups water
• Shredder
• Pan
• Stirring spoon

Pour your water into the pan on the stove and turn to heat to medium high. While the water is heating, shred your bar of soap. (you should get a cup of shredded soap)Then add your soap to the water and heat till all the soap is dissolved, stirring occasionally. (Don't allow it to boil)

Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into storage container or individual hand pumps. Once cool and set, it should be a thin gel, like the store-bought, if not you have used too much water and/or not enough soap. It will clean your hands nevertheless, even if you made it too runny......keep trying and you will get it right eventually.

** You can also make face soap using this recipe by using a facial soap bar. You could also add essential oils for a scented version or even add some moisturizers if you want.

Lunch Choices

• PB and Jelly or PB and banana sandwich
• Tuna sandwich, carrots
• Egg Salad sandwich
• Tuna cakes, veggies
• Leftovers
• Bean burritos
• PB on toast, milk
• Bev's Healthier Nachos
• Soup, crackers
• Baked potato, toppings

Breakfast Choices

• Homemade WW pancakes, syrup, eggs, berries
  
• Homemade WW bagels, cream cheese, tomato
• Scrambled eggs, veggies, toast
• Scone, homemade jam, cheese or egg
• Oatmeal or Oat Bran, almonds or flaxseed, berries
  
• Shakes
• French Toast, syrup, berries
  

Meal Planning 101; Step #5

You have prayed, with a stocked pantry, have all your inventories and you have created a calendar for your month of meals.  Now you will:

Make lists of meals

Take some paper and label with each meal of the day.  I use one side of the paper per each meal of the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks and Desserts.  Now that you have it labeled you will start with Breakfast.  It is here you will make a list of the choices you will have for Breakfast.  Continue on with each meal, listing choices for each.

I scour recipes online, in books and use ideas I have up in my noggin for things that would be "frugal" to make.  In the next few posts, I will be listing my meal choices for each section, so you can get a better idea of what we eat and have to choose from each day.

Meal Planning 101; Step #4

You prayed, have a stocked pantry and also did your pantry/fridge/freezer inventories and you know what you have in your house!  It's on paper!  So the next step is to start the actual meal planning.  You will:

Make a calendar for your meals

You can print out monthly calendars online for free but why waste printer ink when doing it with an ink pen is much cheaper! :)  I take paper and simply do a calendar that contains the 2nd Tuesday of the month till the next 2nd Tuesday of the month.  Usually it is about 30 days or around there. 

This will give you a layout (which you will in later steps put meals) and it will also help you know how many meals you need for the month.

This step is just making the calendar.......I told you all I was taking this very slow so everyone understands how I do this.  

Meal Planning 101; Step #3

You've prayed, you have a pantry with basics stocked and now its time for Step #3:

Make Inventories

I make inventories of my pantry, freezer and refrigerator EVERY time I start my monthly meal planning. This gives you a hard copy of what you have in your kitchen so you don't have to run to the cupboard or the freezer searching for an item. It will also help you realize things that you need to use up within a week or within the month. Which is the reason why I also make a separate list for things that "need to be used up" and keep it in my meal planning section of my homemaker's journal.

You can do what I do and just use a blank piece of notebook paper to write down your inventories OR you can use some of the free printables online. You can find some here:

http://organizedhome.com/printable-forms-menu-meal-planning

Meal Planning 101; Step #2

Now that you have completed Step #1, we will continue on to the next step, which may or may not apply to you. This is for those starting out from nothing or never really made a pantry! This step is done once a year or once every 2 years, depending on usage. So Step #2 is:

Stock your pantry

This isn't completely a must, but I find that it helps me have more "luxury" items each month. Everyone has something in their pantry.......right? Well we didn't when we moved from Alaska to Washington in 2006, so we had to start all over and stock up a pantry. I had to buy spices and the basic dry ingredients that most people already have on hand. So if you already have these items, then skip this step.

Here is the list of things that I stocked up my pantry with:

• Flour
• Rice
• Beans
• Spices/Seasonings
• Oil
• Dry Milk
• Cornmeal
• Cornstarch
• Oats
• Non-stick spray
• Honey
• Sugar
• Shortening

I'm assuming most of you are not starting from nothing, but have most of these above in your pantry anyway. Am I right? If so, you really don't need to do this step. I simply put it in here because we started from the "ground up" when we moved. We didn't really have anything and had to start over.

You will find that if you keep these items continually on hand, your meal planning will be much easier! Say one month, you get some beans, the next some flour. Or you can do it all at once, one time a year or every other year.

Any questions?

Meal Planning 101; Step #1

Ok ya'll, we are going to go real sloooowwwww so everyone can get each step and all that I will be sharing. If you have ANY questions about THE STEP, leave a comment on the post.

The very first thing I do and you should too, is:

PRAY!

I pray and ask God to help me plan the meals and to do it on as less money as I can and to where my family is eating healthy at the same time. I want to be a good steward of what God has given me and provide healthy, wholesome meals for my family, all the while saving money for other things for them (and me).

So everyone take a moment to pray to God for wisdom and help to do a meal plan for your family!

MORE Dave Ramsey on "Recession"

Go HERE to hear the call......I love this one lol. 

Dave Ramsey on "Recession"

Update on Meal Planning Course

I'm a bit frustrated! I worked on the vidoes, did several for the meal planning course and then they did not record right and were too dark to use. I guess I will have to start over or either forget the videos and just do it with words(?).

I wanted to see if it was still possible to feed my family of 3 on $80 a month since the media claims times are so bad and on and on. Well, we did it! I made my list and went shopping at Walmart and Winco and got our food for this month at $80! I even got some "luxury" items....extra meat that was on sale and some cookies. So it CAN still be done despite the "hard" times the media claims we are going through.

Meal Planning 101 Questions

The past 3 days, I've been spending some time planning what to do with my Meal Planning 101 course. I want questions you all might have asked in the comments section, so I can answer any through the course. So whatever you want covered and shown.....ask!

I wanted to video my trip to Winco and Walmart but not sure how that will work out yet. I'm starting the paper planning today, writing it all down.

So get your questions in! HURRY...I want to make sure I cover everything that my readers are wanting to know, thanks!

Vacation

I will be taking a vacation until around the 16th! My husband's parents are coming in from NY today, so I will not be blogging while they are visiting (at least I don't think so lol). I plan to spend most of my time offline and spending it with them in the short time they are here!

On my agenda upon returning to blogging the 16th, I plan to start the Meal Planning posts and hopefully do some videos to demonstrate each step that I do (did) to feed my family of 3 on $80 a month.

So until then........bye ya'll! ;)

A Little Bit "TOO" Frugal!

The following video clip is disturbing to me! For one, I think it is absolutely nasty to go through a dumpster, i.e. other people's TRASH and then also being a Christian....I will not have to do this because GOD WILL PROVIDE for my needs!

Yes, I might be a bit frugal in some things but there is a line and going through garbage bins is way past that line lol.

Magic Jack Update

You can find my original post for Magic Jack here:

http://frugaladdict.blogspot.com/2007/12/magic-jack-enthusiasts-reside-here.html


A News reporter tried out Magic Jack and here is the result: