by Nicole Comeaux, Grocery Getters LLC, www.grocerygettersllc.com
Meetings to make, money to earn, coupons to clip, dinner to cook, children to bathe, the list goes on and on. We are such a busy society that the most important people in our lives can get overlooked. Budgeting money is extremely important, but so is budgeting our time. I played the simplest game with my three-year-old tonight for about an hour: “penny toss.” We started with coins from the piggy bank, then she decided to try other things. We tossed little triangles into the jar, and even little people from a board game. She had a blast and it cost absolutely nothing. Eventually my seven-year-old came along to investigate all the giggling and wanted to become a part of the fun. Soon, we had dad’s attention too! Its so easy to think that to have quality time you have to spend money doing something or going somewhere, but with a little creativity and imagination anything is possible. Now, I have small children and they are very easily entertained for a great price, but what about those teenagers, you know they won’t be sold on the “penny toss.” So, here’s a few ideas for you: take turns listening to favorite radio stations (loads of laughs here I’m sure), go for a drive – let him/her try if you dare, cook something together, go to the park and do something childish like swing or slide, or let your teenager teach you how to do something (this should definitely be entertaining!). Whatever the age, there is time to do it if you budget your time as well as your money and you can be frugal about it if you just make your mind up to do so.
Oh! By the way, the public library is hosting some cool craft activities over the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks so if you are looking for something to do in that time but strapped for cash check out their website’s calendar, you might find something that you and/or your child would enjoy.
Have a safe weekend!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Homemade Halloween Costumes
by Nicole Comeaux, owner of Grocery Getters LLC
Saving money is a pastime for many of us, but in these economic times some of us just don’t have the choices that we were graced with perhaps just one year ago. Halloween is just around the corner and who can afford $25-$30 (or more!) for ONE costume that ONE child will wear ONCE. There are so many ways to go homemade this year and have the most creative costume on the block. I know, many of you are thinking, “Okay, but what do I do?” Well, the answer comes in many forms. Take just a few moments to ask your child a few questions or just think of his or her interests. Or, even better, make it a creative lesson!
There are tons of websites out there to offer ideas if you don’t have a clue where to start. Just use your favorite search engine for “homemade Halloween costumes.” I did just that and was blessed with a plethora of ideas. Even if none of the ideas interest you it might spark another in you that will knock your children’s socks off. Here are a few of the sites I found truly inspiring:
www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm
http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-kids-costumes/
http://www.costume-works.com/homemade_halloween_costumes.html
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/costumeideas/tp/fastcostume.htm
These are but a few of the millions out there. The last site listed gives a list of wonderful ideas you could pull off with out purchasing anything and can be put together in a flash. I found a great idea for a young Chinese girl that will only require me to purchase some white face paint. We can research the idea online or at the library and enrich our lives with a little international culture lesson as well as celebrate Halloween.
There are great deals to be had if you look in the right places, too. Wal-Mart has these great kits for $5 that have all the accessories and face paints put together for you and you just have to provide the clothing to go with it. Walgreens has a few costumes left for $10 or left, and Dollar General has a few for $10 or less as well. Of course, I think the best deals are found at home, though.
Whatever you do, have fun doing it and enjoy every moment! I hope you and yours have a great Halloween! Happy Haunting!
Saving money is a pastime for many of us, but in these economic times some of us just don’t have the choices that we were graced with perhaps just one year ago. Halloween is just around the corner and who can afford $25-$30 (or more!) for ONE costume that ONE child will wear ONCE. There are so many ways to go homemade this year and have the most creative costume on the block. I know, many of you are thinking, “Okay, but what do I do?” Well, the answer comes in many forms. Take just a few moments to ask your child a few questions or just think of his or her interests. Or, even better, make it a creative lesson!
There are tons of websites out there to offer ideas if you don’t have a clue where to start. Just use your favorite search engine for “homemade Halloween costumes.” I did just that and was blessed with a plethora of ideas. Even if none of the ideas interest you it might spark another in you that will knock your children’s socks off. Here are a few of the sites I found truly inspiring:
www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm
http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-kids-costumes/
http://www.costume-works.com/homemade_halloween_costumes.html
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/costumeideas/tp/fastcostume.htm
These are but a few of the millions out there. The last site listed gives a list of wonderful ideas you could pull off with out purchasing anything and can be put together in a flash. I found a great idea for a young Chinese girl that will only require me to purchase some white face paint. We can research the idea online or at the library and enrich our lives with a little international culture lesson as well as celebrate Halloween.
There are great deals to be had if you look in the right places, too. Wal-Mart has these great kits for $5 that have all the accessories and face paints put together for you and you just have to provide the clothing to go with it. Walgreens has a few costumes left for $10 or left, and Dollar General has a few for $10 or less as well. Of course, I think the best deals are found at home, though.
Whatever you do, have fun doing it and enjoy every moment! I hope you and yours have a great Halloween! Happy Haunting!
Bounce Dryer Sheet Find
I just went to Albertson's. It was the first time that I stepped into the grocery store this week and I am so glad that I did. I went to get just a few fresh items. I recently shopped for a month, so all I really needed was milk, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegies. Of course when I see a good deal I normally jump on it, and that I did. I wasn't planning on using my drug store budget this week, because that stockpile is already pretty full. So, I used my drug store deal to buy a nearly lifetime supply of Bounce mountain scent dryer sheets and Home Life He laundry detergent. As I was walking through the store I noticed an end-cap in the middle of the store with clearance items, so of course I abandoned my basket to run over there. Nothing seemed really exciting until I bent down and noticed the mother load on the bottom shelf. For whatever reason, these fancy pants, super awesome smelling dryer sheets were originally $7.49. No wonder the didn't sell. So, I bought them all for $2 each. Which, by the way, is usually the cost of the store brand at Walmart, so beleive me it was a great deal. Too bad I didn't have any coupons because that would have been even cooler. Then, I brought them home and cut them all of the sheets in helf to double my usage. There was also 1 bottle of laundry detergent for $2 that I snatched up. That's about the best price I can get on laundry detergent even with a sale and a coupon, so I grabbed it too. Don't worry though, there was plenty of other fabric softner left to fill a basket so feel free to go and check it out. I also got more stickers for my Albertson's pots deal, so I will have my choice of any pot by Christmas.
Have a great week and happy shopping!
Have a great week and happy shopping!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Back in the Saddle
After 3 long and grueling months, we are officially settled in our new home. Aside from the pile of boxes that sit in the garage awaiting our rescue, we are feeling more and more at home everyday. The best part is that we are starting to get back on a schedule. Coupons, menu plans, and drug store planning are all falling into place now that we have our own space.
This week I was able to do a month shop at the grocery store. Because of the $30 off coupon that is available at Albertson's, I wanted to take advantage of stockpiling my fridge, pantry, and freezer. I made a menu plan for 1 month with only the best sales at Albertson's. There was also an additional coupon for 3 free products when you buy 10, so we will be having a whole lot of spaghetti over the next month....not really, but it is a staple in our house because it's so cheap and easy. The only other coupon that I used was a peelie on the Flip Side crackers for $1 off of 1 box. They were 2/$2.50, so the coupon made them $1.50. That was a nice surprise.
As for drug store deals, I still haven't ventured into that world yet since I just unpacked a huge stockpile of products and didn't feel the need to spend money on that when there are so many little things we need for the new house. Speaking of which, there is TONS of storage in this new house. I have a full size closet pantry in the kitchen, another in the hall, another under the stairs, and floor to ceiling storage in the laundry. It is a stockpiler's dream and was so worth the wait!!! I will post photos when I can.
Have a great week! Please e-mail me!
This week I was able to do a month shop at the grocery store. Because of the $30 off coupon that is available at Albertson's, I wanted to take advantage of stockpiling my fridge, pantry, and freezer. I made a menu plan for 1 month with only the best sales at Albertson's. There was also an additional coupon for 3 free products when you buy 10, so we will be having a whole lot of spaghetti over the next month....not really, but it is a staple in our house because it's so cheap and easy. The only other coupon that I used was a peelie on the Flip Side crackers for $1 off of 1 box. They were 2/$2.50, so the coupon made them $1.50. That was a nice surprise.
As for drug store deals, I still haven't ventured into that world yet since I just unpacked a huge stockpile of products and didn't feel the need to spend money on that when there are so many little things we need for the new house. Speaking of which, there is TONS of storage in this new house. I have a full size closet pantry in the kitchen, another in the hall, another under the stairs, and floor to ceiling storage in the laundry. It is a stockpiler's dream and was so worth the wait!!! I will post photos when I can.
Have a great week! Please e-mail me!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Relaxing Day/ Recycled Cycles
Does life get any less busy? I had my first breath of fresh air yesterday after passing my real estate exam!! We celebrated with a day at the park and a trip downtown. It was so much fun!!! We rented bicycles from Recycled Cycles downtown and had a blast riding near the fountain...not to mention getting a little wet. The bikes were SO affordable: $10/hr or $15/day. They only charged us $5 for the vintage kiddy bike. We loved the two seater, it was a 1950's green bike with glitter seats! You have to try it!!!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Are we addicted to spending?
Are We Addicted to Spending?
By Teresa Theriot, Founder of www.TheBudgetQueen.com
My aggravation with the American spending problem peaked this week with my mother. She came home with a pack of batteries from the drug store when she clearly had plenty of batteries in her back bedroom. When confronted, her excuse was that my son was sleeping in there. It was easier for her to drive to the store and spend money on something that she already owned than to wait an hour for my son to wake up. The sad thing is that although most people think the idea is plain crazy, many of us have done it before for one reason or another.
It really got me thinking about how completely unconscious people are with their money, and why so many people are struggling with their finances. What has happened to America? Have we become so completely spoiled that we are addicted to spending? I decided that I had to find the answers, in hopes that I could help people stop spending. Surprisingly, I found many of the answers within myself.
Waiting to buy a new house, I have been staying with my parents rent-free. Having that extra wiggle room in my budget has made me feel a little loose with my pocket book. Although I have a strict budget every week, I was running out of money much faster than I normally do. Last week I hit a fabulous clearance sale at JC Penny and spent my whole budget for the week in one day. I decided that something had to change, so I embarked on a no spending challenge.
On day one, I realized that I was just as bad as the rest of America. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I too had become a victim of convenience shopping. Although the things I bought were usually very cheap and I never went over budget, I too have become accustomed to buying things on an almost daily basis. How could I have let this happen?
So, I stopped spending on everything. I said no to lunch out with a friend, even when I had room in my budget, and opted to eat at her house. I turned down my favorite treat, CC’s coffee, and brought my own coffee to the coffee shop to study. I reluctantly turned down my son’s request for a book and told him to use his allowance. I almost caved for coffee filters but used paper towels instead. I made greeting cards on my computer, refused to grocery shop, and easily found ways to use what I already had to get what I needed. My creative juices were overflowing.
My thinking began to change back to what it once was. I felt free and in control of my budget. I started to use the things I already had in a much more conscious way and began to appreciate the things I own. I was happier and having fun making things that I normally couldn’t “find the time” to make.
It’s no wonder that people in poorer countries have less, yet are much happier. They appreciate the things they own. In order to be truly happy, we must be grateful for what we have. In order to be grateful we must make use of the things we own and stop buying more things that we don’t have time to appreciate. There is no other way to explain the sense of enlightenment that I feel than to challenge you to a spend-free week. So, give it a shot, even if it’s just for one day, and you will reap the benefits of what you learn.
Teresa Theriot is a stay at home mother of three children. She is an expert on saving money and founder of www.thebudgetqueen.com.
By Teresa Theriot, Founder of www.TheBudgetQueen.com
My aggravation with the American spending problem peaked this week with my mother. She came home with a pack of batteries from the drug store when she clearly had plenty of batteries in her back bedroom. When confronted, her excuse was that my son was sleeping in there. It was easier for her to drive to the store and spend money on something that she already owned than to wait an hour for my son to wake up. The sad thing is that although most people think the idea is plain crazy, many of us have done it before for one reason or another.
It really got me thinking about how completely unconscious people are with their money, and why so many people are struggling with their finances. What has happened to America? Have we become so completely spoiled that we are addicted to spending? I decided that I had to find the answers, in hopes that I could help people stop spending. Surprisingly, I found many of the answers within myself.
Waiting to buy a new house, I have been staying with my parents rent-free. Having that extra wiggle room in my budget has made me feel a little loose with my pocket book. Although I have a strict budget every week, I was running out of money much faster than I normally do. Last week I hit a fabulous clearance sale at JC Penny and spent my whole budget for the week in one day. I decided that something had to change, so I embarked on a no spending challenge.
On day one, I realized that I was just as bad as the rest of America. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I too had become a victim of convenience shopping. Although the things I bought were usually very cheap and I never went over budget, I too have become accustomed to buying things on an almost daily basis. How could I have let this happen?
So, I stopped spending on everything. I said no to lunch out with a friend, even when I had room in my budget, and opted to eat at her house. I turned down my favorite treat, CC’s coffee, and brought my own coffee to the coffee shop to study. I reluctantly turned down my son’s request for a book and told him to use his allowance. I almost caved for coffee filters but used paper towels instead. I made greeting cards on my computer, refused to grocery shop, and easily found ways to use what I already had to get what I needed. My creative juices were overflowing.
My thinking began to change back to what it once was. I felt free and in control of my budget. I started to use the things I already had in a much more conscious way and began to appreciate the things I own. I was happier and having fun making things that I normally couldn’t “find the time” to make.
It’s no wonder that people in poorer countries have less, yet are much happier. They appreciate the things they own. In order to be truly happy, we must be grateful for what we have. In order to be grateful we must make use of the things we own and stop buying more things that we don’t have time to appreciate. There is no other way to explain the sense of enlightenment that I feel than to challenge you to a spend-free week. So, give it a shot, even if it’s just for one day, and you will reap the benefits of what you learn.
Teresa Theriot is a stay at home mother of three children. She is an expert on saving money and founder of www.thebudgetqueen.com.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Getting Busier
Life is getting a little busier now that I've begun to move into my new position as a real estate agent. I have been in the office training as much as I possibly can, although with children, it's proving tougher than I ever thought. I can't wait to see a paycheck so that I can feel as if it is all worth my while. Still my family comes first and I plan to be at least a part time stay at home mom in order to feel complete. I hope that I don't have to resort to sending the baby to day care because I think I would hate that. Yet, I know that we all need to do what we have to do to survive this recession.
This week I was able to enjoy a fantastic sale at JC Penny. The 75% off racks were all $3.97 and under, so I was able to get clothes for the entire family for around $75 plus tax and saved $439! That was fantastic! Although after I spent the money on the sale, I don't really have any money for my drug store deals this week. It's driving me crazy! I am sitting here looking at all of the awesome deals that I am just going to have to pass up! But, the JC Penny sale was worth it. I will just have to wait for next week's deals.
I also went over my grocery budget again this week!! Can you believe it? The Budget Queen is slacking. Actually, I have been buying groceries for 6 people instead of 5, so it has made a little difference in the amount I am spending. Next week I am going to let my mom buy the groceries so that I can catch up on my budget.
It's looking like we will be in our new house in the next few weeks and everything will go back to normal, including my budget. This temporary arrangement at my parent's house is costing me a lot more than I ever expected. I don't have my stockpile or any of our stuff, so we are having to replace things that we need. Once I get into the new house, I don't think I want to buy anything for a month. I will probably make it my personal challenge!
Hope you all have a great week! Happy Labor Day! I would love to hear your stories too!!
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