Dinner In Less Than 30 Minutes

Here it is.....  the old trusty standby.  Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup. 
This is just another advantage of having the "Well Stocked Pantry". 
I have currently been working 10 hour days and the weather has been less than desirable, so my commute time has increased by nearly a half hour each day.  So when you figure I have been gone 12 to 12 1/2 hours a day, cooking is the last thing I want to do when I get home. 
There is just something warm and comforting eating a hot bowl of soup and a hot sandwich on a bitter cold night. It sure beats eating out and spending the money.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

20 New Uses For Shampoo

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/20-new-uses-for-shampoo.html

This is totally worth checking out.  Especially the cleaning powers of shampoo, removing stains on clothes, washing the car, removing stains from carpet, I thought the ideas in this article were fabulous and totally worth utilizing in my daily routines.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

Saving Even More Money

I am saving even more money by removing temptations from my daily grind.  I do not go to the mall just to hang out.  I am now meeting my girlfriends for coffee at either my house or their house.  When those fabulous catalogs come in the mail from Victoria's Secret and Lands End.... I use them as fire starters.  I do not even open them or glance at the pages.  When we get the Sunday paper.... I only look at the weekly grocery ads, and of course the coupons.  I throw the ads to Fred Meyer, Target, and Best Buy into my paper bin for fire starter. I have a new philosophy with impulse shopping, as well as just shopping in general or shopping for a past time.  I do not believe in retail therapy.  I feel that if I do not see it, I will not miss it.  The other conclusion that I have come to is..... every time I leave my house it costs money, at the very least it will cost the gas to drive somewhere. 

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Back To Reality

I am back from Vacation with my 83 year old Grandpa.  It was fun and a wonderful break from winter.  Southern Nevada and Northern Arizona are beautiful this time of year.  I really got spoiled by the weather, with temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's.  It was also wonderful eating out, and staying in motels where someone else cleaned up and made the bed.  It was also very fabulous to not work or do house work, I am telling you....  I was totally spoiled and it was amazing.  It sure was hard coming back to Oregon to the snow and and the 30 degree temperatures.  I am very glad that I traveled with my Grandpa, I got to explore some geography and see places that I had never been to.  I also got to spend some quality time with my only living grandparent.  I feel truly blessed to have had this time with my Grandpa.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

Vacation

Wow!!!  My life has seriously been a whirl wind since Friday.  My Grandpa planned a trip to Arizona in December I think, and his wife has had some health issues.  He did not want to cancel the trip he really wants to see his daughter who is my aunt, and his granddaughter who is my cousin and their families.  The trip he booked was non-refundable, so he called me and asked me to travel with him.  After calling my boss and getting my schedule figured out.....  I am leaving for Arizona on Thursday.  So, much to do, and pack to get ready, and I seriously was not expecting it or planning on traveling or taking a vacation this month.  I am so grateful and so thankful for my saving account....because all I need to take is spending money.  This is going to be a trip of a life time.  It is going to be great to hang out with my grandpa, and I know he is not going to be around forever he is 83 after all.  And my hope is to really have an awesome time and create some wonderful memories.  I am going to take a butt-load of pictures!!!

The Depressing Work Environment

I agree with all of you...  Yes, the economy is bleak at best, but there are things that you can do, to make it better, make it fun, and make it not so depressing.  Yesterday was payday, and I happen to work for a County Government Office that pays the employees on the last working day of the month.  Yes, it is darn hard (sometimes) to stretch it out and make it last, but after 5 years, I have become quite the pro at stretching a dollar.  Topic of conversations at work included one of my co-workers complaining that she barely makes enough money to pay her bills, there is no way possible she could even stick 20 dollars in a savings account because it takes every dime she makes.  This coming from the same person who eats McDonald's daily, is an animal hoarder, gets acrylic nails and manicures a couple of times a month, has the most current cell phone with the Internet plan, And is forever calling her mom while at work to send her money for odds and ends.  I know there is no use talking about saving money with someone like that, I have tried.  I get shot down in flames.
I am not trying to pass judgement here.....  It is just hard to listen to all of the complaining and negativity when there are things people can do to make life less expensive and put something away in savings.  Heck I started my savings plan with 5 dollars a week.  I think the world is full of complainers, and I am glad I am pro-active and getting my debt paid off and saving as much as I can.  I do know that I am more appreciative of the little things and the free things in life.  It really is all about perspective. What are you willing to do to improve your financial situation?

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!