One of my neighbors recently moved from a rental house on our street into her own home. She and her fiancée are getting married soon. She called me recently to ask for some advice on how to turn a house into a home. When I arrived at her sweet home, we reviewed her goals. She… Continue reading How to Turn a House Into a Home
Year: 2011
Fixing Items at Home
Fixing items around your home, rather than getting rid of them and buying new can really save. By fixing what you have and not buying new, you’ll save money, resources, and time. Each of these fixes took very little time. The supplies used to fix these items are all simple items that are good to… Continue reading Fixing Items at Home
How to Make Jeans Smaller
Remember our trip to “The Bins” and the stack of clothing I bought for $18.20? My family loved everything but several items needed altering. Altering clothing, especially jeans, is easy and takes very little time. The jeans, which were brand new Gap women’s jeans, were too wide at the leg for the wearer, who wishes… Continue reading How to Make Jeans Smaller
How to Make Walking Poles
Do you like to walk for exercise? Do you wish walking provided you with an upper body work-out? If you answered yes, start using walking poles like my “chicks with sticks” crew and on your next walk, get an upper body work-out while burning more calories. Many stores sell walking poles but you can make… Continue reading How to Make Walking Poles
How to Organize a Dinner Group
Entertaining can be expensive, but cost shouldn’t keep you from being social. Organize a dinner group and you can entertain while still being on a budget and frugal. Schedule your dinner group meetings regularly and you’ll see your friends more often and try new foods. The idea behind a dinner group is that it’s a… Continue reading How to Organize a Dinner Group
Teacher Gift Ideas
Question: “Just wondering how you handle teacher gift ideas. At our school, parents are sort of expected to contribute to a to a joint gift for the teacher. The suggested amount is about $15. This gift is usually an American Express gift card. It is a little tricky navigating the social aspect of group gifts. … Continue reading Teacher Gift Ideas
Estate Sale Finds: Vintage Wrapping Paper
One of my favorite items to purchase at estate sales is vintage wrapping paper. Not only is it inexpensive to purchase but it is classic and funky. Add a pretty ribbon and you’re ready for gift giving. This package of vintage gift wrap was purchased recently at an estate sale. Grand total? $1. I especially… Continue reading Estate Sale Finds: Vintage Wrapping Paper
Slow Food Gets Prepared by Slow Families
Meal planning and cooking most of your meals at home is a great way to save money. It’s also a much healthier way to eat. Cooking at home does take time. Planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning up all take time. Slow food requires you to slow down a bit, think about your meals, and do… Continue reading Slow Food Gets Prepared by Slow Families
My Daily Indulgence: Perfume
Every day, I indulge. I give myself a squirt of perfume. Every single day. Even if I’ve run around in my work-out clothes all day (ick!), showered in the evening, and put on my pajamas, I always use perfume. Why? When you’re careful with money, time, and resources, you need a little daily indulgence. I… Continue reading My Daily Indulgence: Perfume
Chicks With Sticks
I’m in a gang and we have a name. My gang consists of several women. We walk very early in the morning and very quickly. We carry weapons but not the usual type of gang weapons. We use walking sticks. Or walking poles or trekking poles or whatever you'd like to call them. We are… Continue reading Chicks With Sticks
Go Gingham 