No Easy Way To Save Money

Lets face it... There is no easy or painless way to save money.  In order to save, you are literally doing without, and making sacrifices.  I save my change, and I put a little money away each month, sometimes it is only 50 dollars.  I keep telling myself that this little by little savings attempt is going to change my life.  Last month I got a surprise orthodontist bill.  My daughter was due to get her braces off, and I had just paid off the last 1200 dollars that I owed in February.  So imagine my surprise when I got a bill for 879 more dollars.  They were for the retainers and must be paid in full or they would not be removing the braces.  I picked my jaw up off the floor and went to change my pants. 
At first I was shocked, and then mad.  But what can you do?  I gathered my wits, and came up with the idea to have a yard sale, I needed to get rid of some crap anyway, might as well make some money.  I cried and whined to my working daughter and asked for help paying the bill which netted me 255 dollars toward the payment.  I made 170 dollars at the yard sale, it was an impromptu yard sale, one day no advertising, so that was not so bad.  I used my insurance reimbursement check to the tune of about 230 dollars....  and took all the rest out of my savings account.
I was thrilled with my creative money endeavors, but extremely sad to take money out of my precious savings account. 
When I took the money to the billing office at the Orthodontist... I told them that they needed to take me out to dinner. 
I am relieved and happy to have this terrible bill out of my way~ forever by the way, my daughters braces are off and she has a beautiful smile.  I just have to get back to cutting back and doing without, so that I can replace that money in my savings account.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Preparing for the Holidays

I know, I know. It is not even Halloween yet, and I am planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For me, it is crucial to get my plan in place. I only get paid once a month, so I really need to plan ahead. I am on the lookout for coupons right now to stock up and start getting the canned food supplies and things I can stick in the freezer for gourmet fabulous meals for the Holidays. I know I want Turkey for Thanksgiving, and will be planning the menu soon. As far as Christmas goes, I have made my list of family members, friends and co-workers for gift giving. I have really been checking out various websites for home made gifts. Also while I have been out on my thrift store adventures, I have come across 3 suitable gifts (brand new, still in the original boxes and one even still has the price tag on) for the lucky recipients on my list. So far I have picked up PJ's for my mom, and 2 fabulous books for my dad and my sister. My daughter is getting a silver necklace that I got on clearance...I have everything hidden and tucked away, and I am looking forward to adding to my stash this week. This is my strategy for the Holidays in a futile attempt to be ready and not have to use any credit cards for any unexpected gifts. I like to be done early with Christmas gifts too. I do not have to run around like a chicken with my head cut off, and I can mail my gifts to out of state family right after Thanksgiving. I plan on having a Fabulous & Frugal holiday season!!!!

Plumbing

I have got quite a leak in my main bathroom in the bathtub faucet area. I researched the problem on-line and promptly headed out to Lowes to buy the correct parts. I spent 64.00 for the faucet replacement kit. I cleaned out my linen closet in order to get to the back of the pipes that connect to the bathtub. Low and behold, this is going to be a project, that is going to require a plumber. The pipes in the back are copper and they have all been welded together, so there is no easy way of changing the faucet unit. My husband is working on it and in the mean time we have contacted a plumber as well to check it all out. What I thought would be a relatively easy do-it-yourself project....might just be a nightmare. I will keep you posted!! Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!

Book Review // Bitches on a Budget

I finished the book~ yay!!! It is so good and I would recommend that all females that are trying to save for their future or retire early or pay off credit cards ~ what ever it may be... This book has fabulous tips and ideas on living your life without feeling deprived and doing it on a budget. Many tips and ideas for decorating your home, traveling, entertainment, and pampering yourself, all while maintaining your financial goals. I am going to have to give this book 5 stars.

Book Review // Bitches on a Budget

I am reading Bitches on a Budget by Rosalyn Hoffman. Chapter one is all about shopping for clothes and maintaing the clothes that you have. Chapter one is not for the faint of heart. If you are used to shopping at Neiman Marcus, the suggestion is to shop at Target... My thoughts are why shop at Target when you can get it at Goodwill. I am apparenly of a lower class than the book is aimed at.
Chapter two is all about grooming and maintaining your appearance. Chapter 2 is very usefull information for budget grooming tips. Chapter 3 is about staying healthy and excercising on a budget. The basic idea is to not pay gym membership fees, quit watching TV and get moving. Chapter 4 is home maintenance and decorating tips. My favorite tip was for de-cluttering your house (which I need to do) and for buying artwork from local artists. I am about 1/2 way through the book and I would recommend reading this book. It is funny and quirky and the information is very frugal and very good.
I am just starting on Chapter 5.... so I will finish this review when the book is finished.