Children’s Clothes

I have recently join ThedUp, to sum it up in a few short words it’s where you can swap your children’s outgrown clothes for gently used clothes.  It’s nicely organized, where you can select the gender and size that you need, and then do a search if you are looking for something more specific.  All the mommas on ThredUp go into great detail of season, brands, colors, and extra details because they want/need to pass these items on. I already order 2 boxes last week and received them 5 days later! I was very happy with the condition of the clothes and that the box was dropped off on my door step (for this working momma that is heaven!).  The company will mail you 10 boxes (medium flat rate post office boxes) so you can list your clothes to give.  I just listed my first box :) It took me about 15-20 minutes because I wrote lots of details, the whole process is very simple.

A few side notes, it cost nothing to give your stuff away, the boxes are free, and I think the post office picks the box from your door step.  I think all boxes cost the same $15.95 to buy a box that includes shipping, I order size 3T and received 13-15 items in one box so that’s less than $1.50 per item. And there is a limit of boxes how many boxes you can buy vs how many boxes you can give away (you just can’t keep on buying boxes) you must be able to swap clothes.

Easy Extra Cash

With very little effort and very little time I have made an extra $25 in the two months!! All thanks to my swagbucks and ebates. 

Swagbucks is awesome, with just 450 bucks (which I can earn in 1 month) I get a $5 Amazon gift card. I am only on swagbucks for maybe 20-30 minutes a day, and that includes right now while I am writing this post I also am watching TV and earning bucks. 

Ebates is another great site, all you have to do it click on their store link, and they have hundreds of stores.  You get a % back from your order and every quarter they mail you a check! I usually get around $15 a quarter.

I just wanted to share my little success ;)

What do you splurge on?

I normally don’t feel comfortable spending a lot of money on myself but with my birthday next week and thinking of all the things I personally need…it’s time this momma goes shopping.  I don’t need a closet full of the lastest fashion or a bag for every month but I do need the basic and I need to feel fabulous and confident.  So what am I buying for my birthday??? Benefit foundation powder, its $35 bucks but the Lord blessed me with dry, pale, sensitive Irish skin.  This is the cheapest foundation that looks and feels great every day for me.  The downside, it really doesn’t go on sale so I buy a new foundation this time every year because Sephora also those in freebies for your birthday (and while I’m online I will also buy a new eye shadow so I get free shipping).  My face cream is also a little pricey $65 on sale which I make last for a year and half (I shouldn't need to purchase this until the fall). But these two items make keeps my face clear of redness and dryness (my two worst enemies). For the rest of my makeup I shop at the drug store with coupons when the needed items are on sale;)

So what does 40 mins and $20 get you in the dollar store..

6 valentine’s cards

2 birthday cards

32 Thank you cards

2 Green Kitchen Towels

1 Bag of nuts (I was hungry)

1 Bag of gummy worms (for hubby)

1 Bottle of coco butter lotion

24 Doilies (for Vday and Monkey Lesson)

300 Rose Petals (for Vday and Monkey Lesson)

1 Birthday Coloring Book

1 Jesus loves me book

1 3-D Animal stickers

Plus Tax

I am disappointed that they really didn’t have anything for my Monkey Lesson theme for the next two month.  Guess I will have to go to the craft store and buy only what I need for this month theme. Maybe Michaels or AC Moore will have a coupon off your entire order this Sunday since it’s super bowl Sunday??

It's payday

But I am not excited, I need to cancel Monkey’s book club, I am so mad at myself. I forgot to decline the next “automatic” shipment and got charged $27 on my shopping card that only had a balance of $20 so I got hit with a $35 bank fee, the day before I got paid. I know it’s my fault but I still am going to call sovereign bank and ask if they can waive it. I would send the books back but I have to pay the shipping both ways which is $15 bucks back and forth! The books cost $20 ugh I tried sooo hard to stay on top.  At least the books are book Monkey will like becuase that is going to be his "potty" gift, lol.

What gets me going in the morning

is Monkey joining me in my morning prayers.  He will stand next to me and patiently wait to kiss the icon, the cross, and then he kisses me. Then after I cross myself he will try to cross himself (he moves his arm up and down really fast for like 10 times). I just love my little Monkey.

Dealing with credit cards?

Here are some steps that I take with my credit cards……

1. Give yourself $100 (or whatever your budget is) a month for shopping (birthdays, gifts, clothes, Christmas, and extras).  For this month I have already spent $50 on monkey’s birthday supplies, so I only have $50 to last me another 20 days. I found it easier to keep track of my “shopping money” by having it in another bank account, away from my bills, away from my savings.

2. Now that I have my “shopping money”  I completely stopped using credit cards, I actually don’t even carry them around with me. It’s a good feeling that you know your balance isn’t going up.  But if you have to carry a credit card, tape the balance of your card so you see what you owe every time you use it.

3. If you are still thinking about purchasing something and charging it, look at the price and think how many hours you have to work to pay for that item, how many hours you have to by away from your family to take this item home.

4. Now that you have stop using your credit cards, apply for an interest free credit card and transfer your balances. But if you can’t get an interest free credit card, then I would pay off your smallest balance first by paying the minim payments on the others and throwing all extra cash onto one card at a time.

5.  How do you get “extra cash” to pay off your credit cards; start being frugal.  Lower all your bills, your cell phone, electric, gas, and most definitely food.  Shop around for car and house insurance. Create a budget and see where your money is going!

Laundry Time

I hate to spend my hard earn money on things I really don’t care about and I don’t care about laundry. I wanna share my tricks of the trade with you.  Here is a powder recipe that I use;

1 Bar soap (Fels Naptha) finely grated

1 Cup of Washing Soda

1 Cup of Borax

½ Cup of Baking Soda

Mix Well and store in an airtight container

Use 2 tablespoons per load

Here are some tricks that I use;

1.     When starting the wash, use HOT water for 2 minutes so the powder soap dissolves then switch to warm.

2.     Once the washer fills up with water let the clothes soak overnight, this helps with the stains (My DH is a plumber, I know about stains)

3.     I use the warm/cold setting for most loads expect for my DH nasty work clothes which I use a warm/warm setting (also add a scoop of oxiclean)

4.     I air dry all my clothes overnight then toss in them in the dryer for 10 minutes to soften them up

The Pro’s

1.     Laundry soap cost $15 a year

2.     I work in a office and don’t need a dry cleaner

3.     I rarely iron, once the clothes come out of the dryer, fold nice and tight= no wrinkles

4.     We love wearing cotton and our clothes last years

5.     Saves money on gas, life of the dryer, and clothes

Con’s

1.     From start to finish one load of clothes takes 2-3 nights to do

2.     Yes it does take added time to do the laundry but I save so much money!

p.s. If I only do one full load a night, I don’t fall behind in laundry.

Is It too early

to start thinking about Christmas! Ok I have been thinking about xmas since July 5th so I would be lied when I said "start thinking" lol. Tomorrow is October 1 which means in my house Christmas planning and shopping will begin. Christmas is going to be tight this year, I put money aside from every paycheck into "HealthCare & Xmas" savings account. 2010 has been a bad health year for us, Monkey has been on the ambulance (very expensive!) and the ER. Also DH had an outer-ear infection and needed to see a specialist twice of course thats after seeing his primair twice. So needless to say that savings account is at bare mininaml.  The sad fact is that is also our Chirstmas money too :( but atleast our bills are paid.  I have already bought a few gifts during the year so that will help and I refuse to put Christmas gifts on credit cards, that's just silly. So my plan is to make candles, I have been saving the glass baby food and fruit food jars and I have been working on another sercet project for my family
to start thinking about Christmas! Ok I have been thinking about xmas since July 5th so I would be lied when I said "start thinking" lol. Tomorrow is October 1 which means in my house Christmas planning and shopping will begin. Christmas is going to be tight this year; I put money aside from every paycheck into "HealthCare & Xmas" savings account. 2010 has been a bad health year for us; Monkey has been on the ambulance (very expensive!) and the ER. Also DH had an outer-ear infection and needed to see a specialist twice of course that’s after seeing his primary twice. So needless to say that savings account is at bare minimal.  The sad fact is that is also our Christmas money too :( but at least our bills are paid.  I have already bought a few gifts during the year so that will help and I refuse to put Christmas gifts on credit cards, that's just silly. So my plan is to make candles, I have been saving the glass baby food and fruit food jars and I have been working on another secret project for my family. I might not be rich but at least I am creative.

So why do I start Christmas planning and shopping soo early for two reason 1) Christmas Lent starts in the middle of November, so I rather spend my extra time with prayers and reading the scriptures 2) it's the busiest time of the year.  If I have a hard time balancing Faith, Family, and Friends in September, you don't want to see me in December.

I love making list so here is my Christmas To-Do List for the next two weeks
1) create a budget and list of people I will be shopping for
2) brainstorm and gather information for the people on my shopping list to get the best gift I can with my money
3) fill out Christmas card (which I bought in February)
. I might not be rich but atleast I am creative.

So why do I start Chirstmas planning and shopping soo early for two reason 1) Christmas Lent starts in the middle of November, so I rather spend my extra time with prayers and reading the scrupitres 2) it's the busiest time of the year.  If I have a hard time balancing Faith, Family, and Friends in September, you don't wanna see me in December.

I love making list so here is my Christmas To-Do List for the next two weeks
1) create a budget and list of people I will be shopping for
2) brainstorm and gather information for the people on my shopping list to get the best gift I can with my money
3) fill out christmas card (which I bought in February)