Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) Summer Decorating on a Budget - Great ideas for adding some summer style to your home on a budget.

2) Getting Craft Out and About - Wonderful ideas of fun crafts to do with your kids.

3) Decorating Tools You Must Have - Great list for those do-it-yourself projects. I have all but 1.

4) Honey Citrus Dressing - Dressing that can be used for fruits.

5) Peanut Butter Cake - Sounds like a simple but delicious cake.

6) Dining Room Chair Makeover - It is amazing what some new fabric can do.

7) Summer Tie Dye Shirts - I use to love to do these when I was in school.

8) 5 Ways to Show your Patriotism Frugually - Great ways to celebrate.

REMINDER - FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAY

What is Real Chocolate Relief? Mars only uses Real Chocolate - that means it is made with 100%

pure cocoa butter. Come back to www.realchocolate.com every Friday through September to get FREE* Real Chocolate Coupon for your favorite Mars brand. If it is Mars, then you know it is Real Chocolate. Giveaway starts at 9am EST every Friday.

Thought of the Day

"Everyone is your best friend when you are successful. Surround yourself with people that you are not afraid of failing with."

Paula Abdul

Ruby Tuesday - B1G1 FREE Entree on July 4th ONLY

Click here to print your Coupon.

FREE Subscription to BusinessWeek and Golf Digest

Click here for your FREE Subscription to BusinessWeek and Golf Digest

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - PART 7

Pool Table

My husband bought a pool table soon after we built our house. When we had no children, we used our pool table almost every weekend with friends and family. In the last couple of years, we have maybe played 3 games. Recently, we have started playing more often. I am trying to use what we have instead of letting it go to waste.

Thoughtful Thursday

Remember what this weekends holiday is about and honor the veterans.

THRIFTY TIP - INEXPENSIVE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

Use flowers from your garden. This arrangement didn't cost me anything.

What Did You Get for FREE This Week?

Lots of goodies this week:



HomeMade Simple Coupon Book - Including a FREE item coupon
FREE Sample of Huggies Overnight Shorts
FREE Samples of Jack Daniels Barbecue Sauce and Thick Classic Worcestershire Sauce and $1
Coupons for each
FREE Stickers
Sonic Coupons
FREE US Weekly Magazine (Not sure why I'm getting these but they are fun to read)
Alexia Crunchy Snack Coupons and Buy One Get One Free Offer

A Set of last weekends coupons from my local newspaper as a sales promotion to order the daily news



Did you receive any goodies in the mail?

WALGREENS TRIP - 6/30/09

Purchased:

2 - Fruit Snacks - $1.00 each
3 - Walgreens Shopping Bags 3/$1
1 - Neosporin $3.99, Used $1 coupon
1 - Childrens Zyrtec $11.99, Used $2 coupon
1 - J & J 1st Aid Kit - $1.49
1 - Walgreens Peroxide - $ .34
1 - Walgreens Alcohol - $1.69
1 - Barbie Bandages - $3.79
1 - Baby Powder - $2.99
1 - Stayfree pads - $3.99

Total Amount - $ 35.60
Coupons Used - $3.00
FSA Debit Card - ($21.00) - Had to use before July 1st
OOP Total - $ 11.60

Thought of the Day

"Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use."

Ruth Gordon

FREE SAMPLE OF ZUNSPOT

Click here for your FREE Sample of Zun Spot Sun Spot Cream.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 6

Patio & Grill

We use our deck every weekend and a couple of day s druing the week. We love to eat outisde whether we are grilling out or not. It is also a great place to relax, sit in the sun, or play. Payton likes to read books or color while sitting at the table. We also enjoy having an umbrella with our table to provide some shade since we do not have any shade trees next our house.

WAYS I SAVED MONEY IN JUNE

- Earned another $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swagbucks, $25 earned so far toward my Christmas budget
- When wanting to buy something for my home,, I have really started thinking about how I can repurpose something else for the item.


- Used coupons on every shopping trip.
- Kept all lights off as much as possible.
- Tried to control my A/C to save.
- Grilled out at least twice a week - Saved on Power.
- Friends & Family had 3 birthdays this month. I already had cards and gifts purchased. SAved money by buying gifts on sale and planning ahead.
- Continued to use samples for
shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, lotion and toothpaste
- Watched (5) FREE movies thanks to DIRECTV Free Movie Channel Weekends. Still have 14 left on DVR to watch.
- Read all emails from Inbox Dollars and took surveys to earn extra cash.
- Read all emails and completed 30 searches from MyPoints to earn gift cards.

Thought of the Day

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."

Judy Garland

FREE Sample of Tide Total Care

Click here to order.

TASTY TUESDAY - PIZZA SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE

We went to dinner at a friends house this weekend and this is what she served along with a salad and french bread. I absolutely loved it. Sorry there isn't a picture, I didn't have my camera with me.

Ingredients:
12 ounces Uncooked Spaghtetti
1/2 tsp Salt
1 (1lb.) Package Mild Ground Pork Sausage
2 Ounces Turkey Pepperoni Slices (about 30), cut in half
1 (26 oz.) Jar Tomato-Basil Pasta Sauce
1/4 Cup Grated parmesan Cheese
1 (8oz.) Package Shredded Italian Three-Cheese Blend
1/3 Cup Chopped Fresh Basil

Directions:
Cook spaghetti with 1/2 tsp salt. Drain well and place in a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Brown sausage, drain, and set aside. Cook pepperoni over medium heat until slightly crips. Top spaghetti in baking dish with sausage, pour past sauce over sausage, add 1/2 of pepperoni slices, sprinkle with cheese, add the other 1/2 of pepperoni slices. Cover with nonstick or lightly greased aluminum foil. Bake at 350 ° for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is melted. Add fresh chopped basil right before serving.

Note:
My friend also freezes the unbaked casserole, thaws in the refrigerator overnight and then bakes the following day.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 5

Another great way to have a thrifty night of summer fun is by having a "special" dinner by using what you have. Give the paper plates a night off and break out the "good" china. Create a tablescape with a theme for the evening and have a nice dinner.

I used a beach theme to my tablescape. Everything you see I already had. The blue placements make me think of the ocean. The blue shell candle make me think of the waves bringing the shells in. The napkins represent the sand. The centerpiece contains shells that Payton and I picked up last year as we were walking along the beach. My napkin rings are fresh water pearl bracelets. I even found a pearl one year while having oysters for dinner one evening while at the beach. You always have to add a little bit of crystal for sparkle.

Note: I just noticed that the silverware is on the wrong sides. Please look over my mistake.

Thought of the Day

"If you're going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now."

Marie Osmond

FREE BATH & BODY WORKS FOAM HAND SANITIZIER

Free Product with any purchase.

Click here to print.

FREE FURNITURE POLISHING CLOTHS

Click here to order.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 4

Swimming Pool

Great investment for my family. We can stay in the pool for hours. We did not spend the money to have in-ground pool (which I would loveeee to have) but it has been so convenient to have a pool in our backyard. Thankfully, Payton is a "water girl" too. She loves to play ball, splash, and cruise around in her float. This is where we spent most of our weekend.

One of my favorite ways to relax during Payton's nap time is just by floating in the pool.

MORE MULTI-USES FOR DRYER SHEETS

DRYER SHEETS

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.

6. Since dryer sheets is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet to keep dust from resettling.

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a dryer sheet.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling, run a threaded needle through a sheet before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet inside empty luggage before storing.

12. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean.. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

13. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets, Place a sheet at the bottom of the wastebasket.

14. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet will magnetically attract all the lose hairs.

15. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet to prevent dust from resettling.

16. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

17. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

18. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

19. Golfers put a sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.

20. Put a sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

21. Wet a sheet, hose down your car, and wipe lovebugs off easily.

Thought of the Day

" Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick."

Gwyneth Paltrow

Thought of the Day

"Your regrets aren't what you did, but what you didn't do. So I take every opportunity."

Cameron Diaz

Thought of the Day

"You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace.

Ernie Banks

FINALLY FRIDAY

It's Friday!!! I am so glad. This has been the longest week for me. I will be so glad when 5:00 finally gets here.

Have a great weekend and I will see you Monday!

Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) 9 Tips for Saving Money at the Movies - Some ideas that I haven't thought of.

2) Pineapple Pepper Burgers - A new twist to a burger that sounds great.

3) Upcycle School Art by making a Beautiful Notebook - I love this idea.

4) Cheddar Cheese Bread - Anything with cheese looks good to me.

5) Re-Fashioning a Thrifty Skirt - I wish I was this creative.

6) Lasagna Roll-Ups - These sound great.

7) Quick Tip Packing - Great tip to use, making packing for a trip a little easier.

8) When Art Collides with Toast - Great art project for kids of all ages.

REMINDER - FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAY

What is Real Chocolate Relief?Mars only uses Real Chocolate—that means it’s made with 100%, pure cocoa butter. Come back to http://www.realchocolate.com/ every Friday through September to get a Free* Real Chocolate coupon for your favorite Mars brand. If it’s Mars, you know it’s Real Chocolate. Giveaway starts at 9am EST every Friday.

FAMILY SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 3

My Screened In Porch

Payton loves to eat here. She finds it so fun and I enjoy it too. We have had dinner here 3 nights this past week. She also enjoys playing out here instead of inside. Luckily, we have a ceiling fan to keep us cool during these humid days we are having.

I have to admit....until last year, we never used our screened in porch.

Thought of the Day

"...Staying on your own path means that you are on the right track. Don't let anyone detr you from that."

Eartha Kitt

FREE Kiss My Face Shower Gel

Click here to order.

GREAT AMERICAN BACKYARD CAMPOUT - JUNE 27

Join families across America, give the TV a rest and spend the night with Mother Nature. Invite friends and neighbors to join. You can visit backyardcampout.org for further details.

We do plan to do this. I am not sure how well things will go with a 2 year old but I'm sure it will be fun.

FREE Quart of Glidden Paint

Glidden is offering a free quart of paint with your choice of color. Offer is available through 7/2/09, while supplies last. US residents only. Click here to order.

The site is slow but I was able to order mine this morning.

What Did You Get for FREE This Week?

Lots of goodies this week:

Soap Opera Digest

Woman's Day

Gardening Magazine

Address Labels

Emergen C Samples

Hallmark Birthday Coupon

Belk Coupons

FREE Bag of Doggie Treats

Did you get any goodies this week?

Thought of the Day

Take a moment to give thanks and pray for every solider serving our country.

FREE SAMPLES FROM WAL-MART

Click here for your FREE Sample of Nature Made Liquid Softgel Triple Flex.

Click here for FREE samples from Stayfree.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 2

Inexpensive Toys


I now have a toy box in the garage of fun toys that Payton can play with outside. Several items I have picked up at the Dollar Store or yard sales. Having toys handy has been very helpful in keeping her busy while I do a little yard work, cook on the grill, or just sit and relax.

Thought of the Day

Thank you to everyone who visits my blog and leaves comments.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 1

I have many things around my home that we do not use often. I am making a great effort to change that. I feel very blessed to have the things that I do have. My goal this summer is to really use and enjoy what we have instead of spending money for things that we really don't need to have family fun at home.

Swing Set

So far it has the been so worth the money. Payton asks to swing every day. It doesn't matter the time or what the weather is like. She wants to "ing" and "swide". If I tell her no its raining, she will begin to sing......

Rain, Rain
Go Away
Come Again Another Day
Payton wants to "ing"

Thought of the Day

Upload prayer, download peace.

FREE SAMPLE OF NESCAFE COFFEE

Click here for a FREE Sample containing 6 delicious flavors.

Multi-Uses Items for Spring Organizing

It is almost that time of year again to start spring cleaning. It is also a great time to organize cluttered areas of your home. Here is a list of items that you can use to organize that you already have around your home. By using items you are have, you will save yourself some money.

Shoe Boxes
Ziplock Bags
Jars
Baskets
Buckets
Plastic Food Storage Container
Check Boxes - I use these often
Inexpensive Laundry or Tote Bags


Do you have any other item syou use to organize that you did not have to buy?

Thought of the Day

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbably, and ... soon they become inevitable."

Christopher Reeve

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY