Yesterday we hit up CVS--rechargeable batteries were buy 1 pack get 1 pack free and Dawn dish soap was 97 cents a bottle, and I had some 75 cent off coupons. So, we spent around $20, less $10 cvs bucks, so $10 cash out of hand, but I earned $1.50 CVS and then found andother $5 CVS bonus buck coupon in the car, so will go back and get more batteries with that.

Then we went to Aldi, and I spent my usual $180 that will last us for around 8 weeks. By the case I bought: corn, green beans, mushrooms, 6 cases of soup, pie fillings, peaches, pears, mixed fruits, peas, limi beans, mandarian oranages,carrots, chili beans, speg sauce, frozen chicken parmasauin, sweet potatoe pies, butter, koolaide mix, hot cocoa mix, frozen chickens and oatmeal. Case sizes run from 18-36 items per case.

The girls carried it all downstairs to the pantry, but it has not been rotated in yet and put on the shelves.

Then we went to walmart and I got 20 lb bags of flour, cornmeal, sugar and 10 lbs of salt. These items I store in my garage in a deepfreeze I was given for free because it doesn't work. It stays airtight, moisture free and pest free. Those large bags are just too heavy to haul to the basement pantry anyway.

We worked up a bunch of free pears, and apples, and now I have a few pumpkins to do. Then I am ready for the snow to fly.

I did hear that some Walmart stores are selling turkey this week for 40 cents a pound. If the one nearest us is, I will get a few later this week.

Last month, I was asked to sit in on a city meeting (in this small town of 2400) to take notes for the substitute for someone who was sitting in for someone else..... All I had to do was write notes of what was said.

Then the people at the meeting ask me who I was and why I was there, so I told them. It was a planning meeting for the fall fest. I took notes as directed, then at the end of the meeting they asked me what I thought. I told them I had not been to one of their fall fests. (I got some really blank stares as if I had just announced I had arrived from Mars). I told them what I knew about it had turned me off since I moved here. They asked me to explain and I told them why. They advertise it as a "family" event, then they have right beside the carnival rides and in between the kids booths 3 beer gardens and numerous beer vendor tents. I don't see that as "family". I also pointed out that very often the front page of the weekly paper contains articles about the constant underage alcohol problem (and drugs) that this town and the school district has. Yet, they promote the booze by mixing it in with kids events. Last year there was a page and a half of arrests made as a result of drinking that was out of control, driving offenses and even some indecent exposure. I said a few other things as well, but we left on pleasant terms. I also ponted out that in this area we have Mennonites and Amish that have craft booths at other fests, but not here, due to the alcohol. Usually Amish and Menonite crafts attract a gathering.


Then I came home to a ringing phone.....3 people at that meeting wanted to discuss with me further.....Fast forward, I am now on the committee for this year and next. They decided to do an experiment and there will be no alcohol at this years event. I sent some letters to the nearby Mennonite and Amish churches (saying would you like a booth and there is no alcohol this year), and we now have 7 more booths as a result.

Then yesterday I was told that one of the beer vendors had told them they were getting called into court as one of the people who was arrested last year named the beer tent as a co-conspirator and is suing them for providing the alcohol and continuing to provide to him after it was noticable he was already drunk. So, at least one beer vendor wasn't going to be there anyway.

My other idea was the chili supper for the fire dept should be at the fire dept. Let the people see the dept--good PR for it (it really needs it now) and maybe we can get some new volunteers requited as a result.

So, for an experiment, this years is at the FD-which is great because it is pouring rain. In past years if it rained, the supper was canceled, and it is the biggest single fund raiser the FD has--last year they sold over 5000 bowls to a town of 2400.

We will serve it in the kitchen, and people will eat in the bays and the trucks will be moved outside.

The fest is this weekend, so you all pray for me, as they took 2 of my many suggestions--last years fest was not the best they said, so they are open to new ideas and I hope they pan out.

Last week I found along the road a trailer ramp--no one has claimed it. Yesterday I found some rose pruners in the middle of a gravel intersection. 2 "finds" in 2 weeks. My husband says he is going to get me a bumper sticker "I brake for junk". Guess I am turning into my dad...

We still have not turned on either furnace, but have lit a fire twice now.

Yep and I stopped and picked it up. Actually I have seen it there for about 6 weeks, but we finally had our first frost so it really stood out this morning so I got it.

No, it was not $300 cash. It was a trailer ramp. For you city types, that is the heavy huge (did I say heavy?) ramp (solid iron)that goes on the side or back of a farm trailer to drive your equipment onto the trailer with. This is the same size as ours and they sell at the local farm store for around $300 plus tax.

I don't see a thing wrong it it. Our paper is online and no one has reported loosing one (I checked the ads back several month).

It was all I could do to pick it up and put it in the back of my suburban.

If the husband does say there is something wrong with it, I will put it in our outdoor fire pit balanced on a couple of concrete blocks--it would be a good rack to hold the dutch oven and such.

If it is good, I will either keep it as a spare or put it on craigslist.

My dishwasher maybe has 3 loads left before it gives up the ghost. I started looking and already gave up. I guess we need to pull it out of the wall so I can measure it. The depths differ and I don't want to pick out one that is too deep for the cabinet. It needs to be an energy star, have the pot and pan cycle, I want to be able to turn OFF the dry heat cycle, and I would like it to have the option to heat the water in the dishwasher rather than use the hot water. This would be nice for when we run out or are low on propane and the hotwater heater quits (last year we ran out during ice because the truck couldn't get here for several days due to bad roads). I also want it to use very little water. (some are steam cleaning now). But, I first need the measurements so I know what size I can get.

I didn't realize how long it was since I last blogged on here but today I had 2 notes asking what happened to me....Thanks for caring!

We have been busy around here. I am involved as a co-leader in starting a new 4H group. It seems most or all of the other groups in the county all meet on Sundays and for those of us who go to church or have kids in youth group, that wasn't working. So, we have started a new one with 25 families! I'd say that pretty much shows there was a need.

DH hurt his neck--he had a vertabre rotated sideways--from sleeping funny. so, he has been moving slow the last 2 weeks. We had to hire a couple of brothers to come help us with a fencing project, as he could barely move. Our pigs have all learned how to root under or climb over the hog panels (fence) and were loose. So we reworked the fencing and added electric fencing and caught the pigs and put them back in. They have not gotten loose since. The two boys we hired are brothers from our local homeschool coop and were very eager to learn. One knew a few things about electricity and was very good about explaining it to his younger brother who couldn't understand at first why he wasn't getting shocked while wearing rubber mud boots, and why it didn't bother a bird that landed on the line.

We got our hay cut and baled for a second cutting last week. It should have been done 3 weeks ago but the rains kept putting it off.

We have 10 new additions to the farm--10 new chicks that are now 3 weeks old. They are dual purpose, so will start their life as egg layers.

Last weekend we filled our time with 2 days of training at the fire department. I was proud of my 13 year old-she is a cadet and was the only female to complete the course in bunker gear. It got pretty hot and humid in the afternoon and several were having trouble keeping up, but she stuck it out. She learned how to run several different rescue saws and ran them for several minutes. Her proudest moment though was when she got to kick out the front windshield of the bus. The training was over school bus accident rescues. The bus was cut up and then rolled over. Then air bags were placed under it and it was raised back up again. It was rather interesting and I learned a lot from watching (I was helping cook the meals and working the rehab bus). This week we have training on breaking and entering.

Today I made up a big batch of laundry soap. It should last me about 12 months, but I usually give a few gallons away so it never lasts that long. My ingredents to make a 12 month supply cost me around $4. It last me longer than many people because I have a front loader machine and only use 2 tablespoons per load.

Right now I have the last of this weeks bread in the oven. Acutally I thought I was done baking, then found a loaf that got moved out of the way when I was making the soap and never made it to the oven. So, I punched it back down and remade the loaf adding some sugar and cinnamon.

Last week I had 3 stay at home no spend no gas days. Today I also stayed home.

I have decided want to put some rain barrels next to the guttering. I have a source for the plastic barrels for $7 each, so it is much cheaper to make my own. But, I am having a hard time finding the spouts that you connect into your guttering. Lehmans used to carry them but I didn't see them the last time I checked. To buy a rain barrell already set up is around $100 and I am wanting to set 4 of them. If I could find the guttering connection things I could do all 4 barrels for around $40.

For some reason, only my blog appears in teany tiny print to me. It also does it at the library, so it isn't my computer settings.

I clicked on something and did it.

What did I do?? Any ideas???

I have been wanting a bike rack for some time now--the type that you see in playgrounds and parks. Right now we have 4 bikes scattered in the yard, and in a few weeks all "the cousins" will decend on our farm along with another family that has 5 kids (they are broke, so spending there vacation camping here so they can avoid hotel and eating out costs--we are near several FREE attractions and 2 state parks that are only $5 a day per car). All those will decend with their bikes also, so I have the potention of having 17 bikes in my yard...17 chances of running over one....

So, anyway I have been pricing them and they are big bucks. Then DING, the bell went off in my head with a great idea! I have a ton of landscape timbers which were given to me free from craigslist for a 4H project. (We needed 32 and the guy gave me 54 as he was going to burn them. Everyone in 4H took a few to use in their horse arena and we still have some left). Anyway, back to my idea, I am going to stand 2 of them up on end and bury in quickcrete. Then between them, I will put 2 to 3 lengths of black rod iron porch railing. I will have to saw out every 6th bar. I already have the quickcrete, so for $40 I will have a bike rack. It will be similar to the one I saw in a school supply book for $320.

So, that will be one of my projects for today. As soon as dd3 finishes feeding/watering animals we are off to Lowes as I have a $20 gift card from there from mypoints to apply to the project.

dd4 and dd5 are at church camp with several of their cousins. It is the same camp DH and I went to as kids.

What other frugal things have I done since I last blogged over a month ago????

Bought 4 grapes that were marked down to $6.99 a pot--normally I pay around $14 per plant. I also redid my orchard using more of the free timbers--I used the ones that were too short or too long for the 4H project.

I also found some rubber mulch, which means I won't have to keep replacing my mulched areas every year. It is from recycled tires and was on sale for only $1 a bag more than they wood mulch which seems to only last a year for me.

I also have been sewing--so far made 3 summer dresses for the girls, and have started in on a bunch of shorts and found fabric I forgot about (red wool) that was going to be a blanket years ago--now its enough to make 3 little girls winter coats. I will have to buy fabric for the lining though (unless I use some old satin curtins for that they are pink so it would be an ok color for it).

I have been couponing like crazy--Price Chopper last week had ragu for 99 cents a bottle and I had a bunch of 75 cent off coupons, so we stocked up--that made it cheaper than Aldi's sauce. Have also gotten free toothpaste, deoderant, soap and dishsoap from using coupons and CVS/Walgreen promotions.

My babysitting which was going to be 18 hours a week has been closer to 30 lately--but on the long 12-14 hour days I have them at my house which works wonderfully. The kids (city kids) can run, play on the farm and see the animals, and I can still be with my family and get my girls to and from their night activities--VBS, 4H and girl scouts. It has doubled my pay, so thats ok too!

Meanwhile we have at least 1/3 of our hay needed for this winter (free). We have cut our firt cutting here at the house. a friend cuts and bales it for us here and at our other farm. He takes half for the work and we get half for providing it. We should get 1 more cutting here, and then 2 at the farm. By summers end we will have all our winter hay supply at no cost to us. Plus, here at the house it is less mowing for me to do, and less $$ spent for mowing fuel.

I have been asked to speak to a group later this month on couponing and being thrifty. It is to a group of about 45 seniors. The majority of them are NOT computer savy, so I have been asked to give ways to save that do not involved the computer. Some can't/don't drive.

I have started a rough list of topics to cover--any additions or ideas are welcome.

Aldi
CVS/WALGREEN/Dollar General savings
coupons
traveling savings
utility savings
cooking from scratch

We made it through the first 9 days of the month. Next weekend the $$ start. To date, we have something like 2 weddings, 7 graduations and party invites and a baby shower......

All are family or very close friends, so a gift will be needed for each.

The baby shower really doesn't count as needing a gift--I make baby blankets and have 3 on hand already--a boy, a girl and an either or. I also have a few bibs I have cross stitched, so will give her one of those as well. I also have a bag full of baby items I got free from CVS or Walgreens that I will throw in--it includes several things such as a baby thermometer, small sized containers of powder, lotions and shampoo and 2 small packages of a dozen diapers.

I hate to just give cash, but you know what? It may be best. I am sure all the grads could use the cash as all are planning on college and I know the newly weds would welcome it as well.

This week I only worked (childsat) 2 days. Next week she needs me 5 days and possibly 6. The nice part is, I can watch them at my home if I need to be home for something. So next week unless it changes
M,T, TH and Fri 9-4. Wed 5am-8pm and possible 5am-8pm on Saturday.

Tomorrow I have to make an emergency trip back home--my renters have a bat in the house. My theory is either a fireplace cap has blown off or the dryer vent hose is off or has a hole. Hopefully it will be an easy fix either way. AND, hopefully the bat won't get me! How do I get the bat out once I find it is my question......animal control doesn't help on those types of calls, plus being Saturday they will be closed anyway. I HATE BATS. Just incase you wondered how I feel about them, you know now...

Now, the girls and I are off to see a homeschool musical that kids in our coop did. We saw a sample of it earlier this week, and it should be very very good.

DD2 (actually step daughter) is apprently getting married next month. 3rd time this has been planned to the 3rd man--the first 2 dropped her before the wedding....

DH already gave her $500 for his 1/3 of her dress--she is paying 1/3 and so is grandma. $1500 for a dress that grandma is sewing herself... fabric must be made of gold.

This is the step daugher that stole our id, forged checks, stole credit cards, police dog and more--she has been in jail 3 times that we know of. Debtors call here weekly looking for her, and she does not live here.

The man she is marrying just did time for rape--only they don't call it rape anymore--it is now sexual abuse. He is also currently going through classes for anger control and domestic relationships. I don't feel he is a good choice, and I don' want my 3 young daughters around him. He has a violent temper, has done time for it (just got out last month) and has a filthy mouth.

Since I voiced my opinion, I am now the blacksheep. DH family won't talk to me. DH got an invition to the wedding address to him only. Even if I and the little girls were invited, I doubt we would go.

Now I hear there were 2 bridal showers (which I was unaware of) and that the rumor is going around that I refused to go. THAT is what bothers me--instead of saying I was not there because I was not invited, the bride lied and said I refused.

Poor hubby is stuck in the middle. He wants to attend the wedding, it is his daughter dispite her problems and who knows, maybe this deadbeat will turn her around (??) and it will work out.

Am I crazy for stating I don't think marrying a former rapist is a good thing??? My mother in law thinks I am wrong for putting the poor man down when he is trying to overcome this. She now has me and my attitude on her church prayer lists. Of course, she left out the fact that he is on the sex offenders list........

I have the cooler packed with sandwhiches for all, chips, pudding and applesauce, bananas and bottled water. We will refill our bottles there, and save $4.50 a bottle (high price for water imo). In case it rains (which they say it will) I have my walmart 88 cent rain ponchos, since the ones they sell at Kansas Speedway are $7 each. Today I am taking my girls, my nephew and my brother as DH is working. Tomorrow it will be all of us and possibly my nephew again. Tomorrow I will again pack our meal. I am too cheap to buy the $7 hotdogs.......Tomorrow if the weather holds we will go after church and take the grill and grill/eat in the parking lot before and after the race. It always takes us over an hour to get out, and then the kids are hungry, so this time we will watch everyone else sit in line while we eat.

DD3 just called a radio station to ask them to play a song. They are crowded around the radio with a tape player to tape it.....

Just like their momma in the 1970's...

Simple and cheap!!!

We finished the pig pen today and moved the pigs in. They seem happy. The chickens sent a welcome wagon over to them-in shifts. About 4 groups of 5 came to visit them. Rather funny to watch.

I went into the feed store after nannying today to buy a couple of metal (dog proof) chicken feed and water bases. These are the kind that go on a mason jar.

On they way out, I noticed the poultry had a reduced sign. Peeking ducks were down to $1 each....So, frugal person I am, I bought everyone they had left. Last week I bought some and they were $4 each. All are females. These are part of the same batch, so when I brought them home (to the rabbit hutch in the storage area of our basement) they were all so excited to see their sisters from back at the store. Right now there is alot of peeping going on in the basement. I also have some baby chicks down there as well, since the weather turned cool and tonight there is a freeze warning out.

On the way home, some broke loose. Ever try to drive a stick shift with a duck under the clutch and another sitting by the gear shift?? I had a heck of a time pulling over to recapture them.

I can sell organic duck eggs for $3 to several gals at church and at the homeschool coop. So I will make my money on them back and then some.

I have blogged several times that I am trying to turn my earned babysitting money into more money, but doing things with it that will save more money in the long run. Last week we bought pigs to add to that list. 6 of them. They are 11 weeks old.

So the list as of now:
screen doors
turbo tax to do our own taxes ($170 savings)
battery charger & rechargeable batteries
pig hut
pigs
CFL light bulbs
and there should be 2 more on the list but I forgot!!!!

I am too lazy to type it all again, but basically the state tried to cut in half, the funding to our Missouri County Extension offices and 4H. Basically half of the staff and offices would close and they would combine with a nearby county.

The funding has been given back, but in 2 weeks they start the new budget and may take it away again. Please read my other blog for all the info and who you can contact.

This is funding for 4H, county fairs, extension offices and more. Thanks!
http://countrysidechristianacademy.blogspot.com/

At least so far, none of the snow is sticking. There is a hard freeze warning out for tonight.

I got the taxes finished!!!! Yee haw. I had free e-filing for the federal, but to e-file the state was $16 and I'm too cheap, so I will snail mail it tomorrow. We are getting a refund on both.

I used turbo tax-paid $80 for it, but last year the CPA charged us close to $300 and it was full of erros that were NOT in our favor, so I don't think I can do any worse. I have used turbo tax many times in the past with good luck so I am sure it is right.

3 days last were no spend days! Today was also a no spending day as well. This evening the kids and I went to a very well done Easter play--very professional, great music, good costumes and sets--and it was also free. They really had some people who could sing--much much better than half that junk on the radio!!

Sadly, many of the churches around here are starting to charge for entrance to their Christmas and Easter plays. The fee is to cover their "hollywood production" costs. I, on the other hand would rather see what we saw tonight. One where you actually know the performers and a little less pazazz. It was a little over 2 hours long and an hour drive one way to get there. But, worth every bit. The kids had several friends in it as well as one of the teachers from the homeschool coop.

This week it looks like I will be nannying 3 days. Since DH is on nights and will be home during the day I will take turns taking 1 girl with me each day to do some one on one with schoolwork, while the other 2 stay at home.

This Friday night is our Passover dinner at church. It is always very interesting as it is a study in Jewish customs. It normally draws a good crowd. Each year we learn more that we missed or forgot from the year prior. Wed night a bunch of us are meeting at the church to make the bread-matza-I think that is spelled right.....

Last week I got Ol Betty out of her storage parking spot (by the barn) and drove her around to the front garage. Now, before you imange me driving an old woman with a whip, let me explain that Ol Betty is my 99 Chevy Suburban. I parked her when gas went over $4 a gallon. I then bought my manual Chevy Aveo which gets 34-37 mpg. So, she has been parked except for a few trips around the farm to check fences and to keep her battery and spirit up.

But, I miss Ol Betty. The kids have more room in Betty and she has a TV and lots of storage room (think going to Aldi for a stockup in a hatch back with 3 kids.....or in a pickup on a sunny calm with food blowing in the back as it starts to rain from no where.......)

Now I am watching 2 little ones, that is 5 kids and the Aveo will only hold a total of 5. Dare I let them go off without me??? NO.

DH broke Bettys mirror--playing ball with the dog. So, for $12.95 I got her a new mirror off of ebay (brand new-correct color and everything). At 2:30 she has an appointment to get inspected, then we will go to the license bureau.

I just hope she passes. Her tires are border line. She has better tires, but they aren't on her. I want to drive her tomorrow, but DH is working so can't put her other tires on till Sunday. I refuse to pay the $60 to swap out her tires at the inspection shop.

My insurance company has a program now where they only charge insurance when you drive the vehicle. I need her every other Friday. So I will pay full coverage every other Friday, and reduced coverage the rest of the time.

She is a good looking truck. Black and shiny with lots of chrome and all the extras. She came from the KC Cheifs--used to pull the PR trailer to events around town, then I bought her in 2003. She pulled the first camper we had through over half our states, showing my daughters and I our land. She is ready to go again!

Today was my 3rd ns day of the week. Of course the day I did spend, I spent $181.08. That was for the storm door for the kitchen door, which I am hoping will pay for itself within one year of cooling and heating saved.

I babysat today (or nannied as the mom calls it) so $50 in-or will be in when she pays me on Friday.

I will probably spend money this weekend however. A dear lady from church, whom I have known since I was born passed away this morning. Most likely I will get a ham to take to the house the day before the funeral. The arrangements have not been announced yet, so I won't buy it until then. She could play the piano like no other, and she could yodle. I loved to hear her yodle.

One of my goals to use my babysitting money was to spend it in such a way that it would be an investment or to save us money.

Today we got another storm door. This will go on a south door and will save on cooling costs this summer and heating costs in the winter. Its a nice door, and insulated. It is made with a double glass, and the glass slides down into the door and the screen when not used rolls up inside the door like a shade. I like that feature because when not in use, the screen is inside the door where no animal can claw at it, and no itty bitty bugs can fly into it.

I also bought some horse radish root. DH eats it like crazy, so I am going to grow it. It will take over the garden if you let it (as well garlic), but I have that figured out already. We have a couple of metal barrels that we can not get the tops off of. I am going to have DH cut them in half. Then I will bury them. I will put the garlic in one and the horse radish in the other. They won't be able to escape. Now I just have to decide if I want the barrels cut lengthwise or just in half. I could have a little bigger crop if they were cut lengthwise. I will have to devise some sort of cover until it takes off, so that the chickens won't scratch and dig it up.

I planned to work outside in the garden today but it has been way to windy. We have had gusts up to 50+ mph. Orginally I planned to take some dirt up and fill in my strawberry bed I made last week, and also to fill in the tractor tire that holds our weather station so I could put some bulbs in it. So, that will have to wait until a less windy day.

There is a possibility it may snow this weekend. Ugh. I knew that groundhog was right! Plus, our horses have not shed their winter coats yet....

We had 2 families help us butcher "Hamburger", our steer. The butcher shop here charges a $250 butcher fee plus 64 cents a pound. He weighed 1200 lbs after he was skinned and gutted. So, needless to say, even after splitting him with others, we still have a freezer full of meat. And, we had fun doing it.

Our costs were under $100. We paid for the ammuniation to shoot him, and freezer bags. Our friends had a meat grinder that we used for what we ground into hamburger (about 203 lbs worth). I have listed the hide for sale to try and recoup some of our feed and such.

I got my second check for my part time babysitting/nanny gig. I had decided the money I earn will be used to save money.

So far, I have bought:

hog hut (to raise our own ham)& pigs
storm door

And this one, is going to buy a barn. It is a demo barn, left at Lowes from last season. I bought it directly from the shed company (not Lowes) for $300. Orginal price $1200. We leave to pick it up in about 15 minutes. Lowes will load it for us.

Not sure what to do with it...it will either be another chicken coop, or we may put it inside the barn to lock all of DH tools in.

It is wood, double doors, has a skylight and vents. It is 8 x 6 x 9, so even the mower will fit in it. Can't even buy the materials to make it for that price.

So far I think I am doing pretty good with my spending.

Today the girls and I went and picked up a used hog hut. I paid $125. New ones are $800. This one is in very good condition.

DH uncle gave us some hog and combination panels as he is once again retiring from farming (he's 'retired' several times.) DH already had a feeder, so I am set to go. I only need warmer weather and pigs!

I had one farmer tell me it would take me $1000-$2000 to set for pigs. But, he didn't know me very well.

Bacon in the freezer!

Due to some of the advice on this site, I have applied for the last year to be on some focus groups. Finally, I got accepted to one and last night was our first meeting. It is with our rural electric coop. The meeting started off with the coop feeding us dinner. At the end of the meeting they handed us each a check for $50. After each meeting we will get a check. Yee haw.

During the meeting they discussed an energy savings program and I learned that my new washer entitled me to a $100 rebate. So, last night I did the paperwork for it, copied my receipt and it went in todays mail.

So far this focus group is worth $150 and a dinner for one meeting. And there are still 3-4 more meetings to go.

I am taking my $150 and Friday morning I am buying a used hog hut for $125. We have ordered some pigs due to arrive in March for our deepfreeze. We will raise them, keep 2 to butcher and the rest will be sold at market to recoup our feed and butchering costs.

My dad just got some 3 week old pigs for $5 a peice from a farmer at auction, and is raising some for their deep freeze as well.

I am wondering what to do with my money from my part time childcare I am doing. It will very each week, from $45 to $250, depending on the number of hours.

What I would like to do, is to spend it in a way as to save money--I want a return back. I already have cfl's in all the lights, and only have 1 shower needing a new water saving shower head.

I think I am going to get a new insulated screen/glass door for the dining room door, as there is not one there and it is on the north side of the house. Another idea I had was to run a waterline from the well to the orchard or feed lot to save on the rural water bill during times we water plants or livestock (extreme heat for the orchard and extreme cold for the livestock when the ponds are froze).

The house already has energy efficent windows and is well insulated as we have the 10 inch walls.

I already drive a fuel effience car (37mpg).

I don't want to invest it or bank it. I guess that is because I am sick at how much we have already lost the past couple of years in our savings, investments, stocks, bonds....Everything has gone down.
We live off my DH income and this is "my money" to do with...

Any ideas???

DH had to work all of Christmas week. Basically he had to work his own vacation & another guys sick leave & another guy who took some personal days for a baby that had severe medical issues. So, he worked most of December, when usually he has the majority of the month off. So, the HR department gave him a $100 prepaid VISA. Last night he took the girls shopping and bought a Wii. The family is having a lot of fun with it.

I worked today (if you want to call it work) at my part time nanny job. So, he had the girls all day. They finished their school work in record time, since he didn't allow the Wii until all their work was done. Tomorrow he works overtime so I will take them with me tomorrow, Thurs and Friday. They will take there books and we will homeschool there. Basically I play with the kids from 9-11:15. Then fix lunch. We eat a few minutes before 12, then down for naps from 12:30-2:30. Of course there is diapers to change and then kitchen clean up afterwards. I get them up at 2:30, change diapers and get them a drink, then their mom wakes up and takes over at 3 and I leave. So, from 12:30 I can work with my kids on their school work and before then they can work on their own.

Last week I worked 1 day, this week 5 days and next week 1 day again. Normally it will be between 1 and 3 days (M-F no weekends)but this week they had some dr appts and work meetings.

My last visit to Aldi, I noticed some changes.

Used to be, most people I saw bought aldi bags (at 5 cents each). I rarely saw others who like myself, took their own bags or, like I do, laundry basket....
Last visit, most people walking in were carrying cloth reusable bags.

The parking lot acutally had a couple of caddys, bmws, a corvet and a hummer in it, in addition to other nice cars. Used to be years ago, older cars.

The store had a lot of people in it--it was packed. Most were nicely dressed working type of people. In the past I have seen more along the lines of retired persons or younger starting out families. Now I see the working in there more than before.

Used to see a lot of food stamp cards--last few visits I have only seen one being used--

I think Alid is starting to collect a different sort of customer now.

On a different note, I am supposed to be sleeping. I stayed awake till 4 am so I could sleep today, as tonight we have an all night non sleeping girl scout even. Yet, I am wide awake by 10:30 this morning...

I'll never make it tonight...

What can I use??

My husbands first wife died before this house was finished....Needless to say, little things were not done and I have been slowly doing them.

One of those little things is that none of the bathrooms had towel holders/racks or TP holders.

I have installed some in two of the bathrooms (the kidsm or else the towels would be on the floor and the TP wet).

But, I am looking for something more unique looking to use in the last two bathrooms. Both are painted sage green. Our house is full of antiques. I'd like to stick with something antique looking or repurpose something to use as she suggested in one of her posts....Both bathrooms have honey oak trim and cabinets.

One idea I had was to use a floor standing quilt rack as a towel holder. Any of you creative people have any frugal repurposing ideas I could use? (I looked thru magazines at the library, but they were of little help).

Today was my first day at my "new job". I am sitting/nanny to 2 little ones. Some weeks I will be there 1 day, and next week I will be there 5 days. But, on the average it will be for 3 days a week. I must say, they are cute! I think this job will work out very well.

I sold 2 identical pairs of boots. One brings $18.75 and the other $8.50. Why such a difference?? Same boots, same condition....Same shipping fee....

I just don't get it.