Got No Dough - Saving Money in Slim Times

Although technically I started blogging in 2007, this year brought about new ways of doing things as well as new endeavors.  Along the way I have had several more experienced bloggers teach me new things, help me out and overall just help me to improve my life.  I’m not yet making enough money to quit my part-time job, but I think this will be the year it happens.

So who helped me change my life in 2008 and how did they do it?

1. Courtney Tuttle - This was one of the first blogs I started reading when I decided to start blogging.  I got this blog’s theme from his site and when I contacted him regarding my ambitions, he actually responded!  Now I also follow him at The Keyword Academy.
2. John Chow - I think every potential blogger comes across this name when they look into making money online.  I really learned a lot from reading his free ebook and he even helped me out during a very difficult time in my family’s lives this year.
3. Caroline Middlebrook - Her free eBook on Niche Sites was absolutely wonderful and taught me a new way of setting up blogs to make money.  I especially appreciate her candidness when speaking of her own life.
4. Amy Bass - The Niche Blogger has been very life changing for me.  I’ve learned many of the ins and outs of SEO and think this has the potential to get me to the income level I need to stay at home this year.
5. Josh Spaulding - This was a recommendation from a friend and he was described as having good advice and being very down to earth.  His free eBook - The $5 Mini-Site Formula - got some very quick results for me.  I really like the techniques he recommends and appreciate his kind nature and the fact that he personally responded to me when I emailed him.

So, as 2008 draws to a close, I’m very much looking forward to the coming year.  I know 2009 is going to be the year where I see more success online than I ever have and where, in conjuction with saving money, we’re able to pay off even more debt and live comfortably.

I’m sitting here on Christmas morning - sneaking in some computer time while the kids play with their new toys and eating a quick bowl of cereal.  As the year is drawing to an end, I’m starting to reflect on a lot of things.  I’ll write more on my reflections in the coming days.

For now though, I’d just like to wish you all a Merry Christmas.  May it be a time of joy - not happiness or sadness which swayed by circumstances, but a joy that is permanent - for you.  Spend time with family - which is not necessarily who you are related to, but instead those who makes you feel accepted and loved.

And with that I must run.  My husband and I are going out to spend some time together alone.  One of my gifts to him was movie tickets to see the movie Valkyrie - opening day, first showing.  I always wondered who would be crazy enough to go to the movies on Christmas - now I know! 

Merry Christmas!!!

This will be short and sweet…I’ve had the same site design since I started this blog over a year ago.  I’ve wanted a new design - but it’s quite pricey, so I’ve stuck with what I have.

So, today I found a contest to win a free site redesign.  Please vote for me!!  You can see my current rank below and also find the link to vote.  Thank you!

I had some requests on how the Niche Blogger was going and although I’m not a millionaire yet, it is going fairly well.  I’ve learned SO much about writing and marketing that it will be a valuable resource for me for years to come.  I now have a handful of blogs up and running and a few more in the works.

Anyhow, I just got some exciting news in my email - you can now get a FREE 3-day trial to see if this is the program for you!  You have absolutely nothing to lose and I just know that once you see what the program is all about that you will want to become a member.  It doesn’t matter if you are an absolute beginner or if you have some experience, there is something for everyone.

I hope that others out there who are dreaming of quitting their job or possibly supplementing their current income can use this program to turn their dreams into reality.  If at any point you have any questions, I’d be happy to help you out.  I’ve been doing this for 3 months now, so I think I might know a thing or two

I’ve been wanting to incorporate healthier ingredients into our dinners, but often times eating healthy costs a lot more and sends my grocery costs over the top.  On top of that, I’m tired of planning meals each week because it takes FOREVER!

Well, I’ve been a subscriber to the basic menus4moms menu for quite a while, but a few weeks ago I noticed a Frugal Mom Menu in the sidebar.  Seeing as I’m a frugal mom, this really caught my attention.  I looked into it, tried out the free sample menu and was hooked.  You get a 5 day menu which includes lots of vegetables, which is what our family so desperately needed.  And the best part of it all, is that you will be amazed at how low your grocery bill will become.  I spend $60 to $70 a week for HEALTHY food as opposed to junk like TV dinners and prepackaged foods.

Anyhow, if you go check out the frugal mom menu you can try it out for two weeks for just one penny!  After that, it is $5 a month which is more than worth it for the time you save in menu planning and the money you save at the grocery store.  I’m so in love with this menu and my husband is absolutely loving the variety!

If you decide to try it out, let me know.  I’m curious to see if everyone else loves it as much as I do.  If you’re still no sure, scroll down to the bottom of the sales page and you’ll see a link for the sample menu.  Hope you all find this as beneficial as I have and save some money on your groceries!

Ok, so let me just start off by saying that there’s nothing exciting here.  But I got up at 5:30 yesterday morning and on the spur of the moment decided to go out and shop.  There was only a couple of things I wanted, so I ran to Walmart first.

I parked a good quarter mile away and when I got inside, I almost immediately regretted my decision.  But, I decided to be a trooper and I went and got what I had come for.  Spiderman & Spiderman 2 for my son at $2 a pop.  I actually bought two of each just in case something happens to one of them :)  I waited in line for 25 minutes, which isn’t bad considering the length of the lines and the way everyone’s shopping carts were overflowing!

So I then proceeded to Joanns to buy a little something for myself.  I got 4 Butterick patterns at .99¢ each and 3 rolls of wrapping papper at .99¢ each and a 3 pack of cellophane bags for $2.99.  I had a 20% off coupon so I spent less than $8 for my entire purchase.

Lastly, I waited until the evening and then I went back to Walmart and bought myself some fabric.  I’m making a pair of maternity pants and two maternity shirts for myself - which I so desperately need!

So, no huge purchases, but I’m happy to have spent less than $30 for the entire day with some great purchases

Happy Thanksgiving.

It’s that time of year where we start to reflect on all we are thankful for and I am just overflowing with thankfulness.  The year started out very tough for us, both financially and with just a lot of bad experiences.  The end of the year holds another story.

The economy has caused a lot of people to be laid off and to be under a lot of financial stress.  We have discovered that our jobs (my hubby & I) seem to be recession proof.  I, fortunately, work for a hospital who is doing very well financially while other hospitals in the area are struggling.  I also work in a department that cannot be downsized - medical records.  We’re really baffled how people will quit spending money on other items, yet they will continue to pay for their children to receive music lessons.  My husband’s business has just grown exponentially and continues to do so!

Although we’ve run into some legal trouble with our creditors, we are now on track to pay everyone off.  It’s going to take a few years, but one creditor is actually completely paid and another will be completely paid right after the first of the year.  It’s been over a year since we’ve used a credit card and I’ve learned how to live without one.  Sometimes I feel so envious of women when I see them shopping and buying whatever they want, but when I see them whip out that credit card, the envy disappears.  I definitely don’t envy their bill every month!

I’m thankful for the opportunity my husband got this year to get LASIK.  He has worn glasses since he was young and for anyone who wears them, they know how annoying they can be!  We tried contacts a few times, but they are expensive and would irritate his eyes.  His last pair of glasses were getting bent daily by the kids and a miraculous opportunity arose for him to get the surgery.  He now sees perfectly (although my vision is still better than his haha) and has had no complications.

I’m also thankful for the gift I received for my anniversary.  When you hear that there are no loans available unless you have perfect credit, know that it’s not true.  We obviously have far from perfect credit, but we were able to get a car loan to get a minivan.  We’ve faithfully paid our current car loan for 3 years and the same company was willing to finance us again.  I now have my own transportation (I was without a car for 6 months after my husband’s truck was stolen) and we have room to bring our new baby home from the hospital in a few months.

Which brings me to my next point - I’m so incredibly grateful for this new life that is growing inside of me.  We dreamed of having 3 children, but when I found out I was pregnant, I was so disappointed.  It just wasn’t in MY timing, but that’s when I realized that life is not about MY timing.  The biggest blessings in my life have been these surprises that were not part of the original plan.  “Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21.

And just a few last quick obvious ones - I’m thankful for my family, I love my husband and boys so much.  I’m thankful for the room over our head, the food in our cupboards and the fact that gas is $1.89 a gallon!!

I want to thank everyone who has helped me over this past year both with kind words and donations.  You have helped us to get through a very rough spot in our lives and as we’re moving on to a better place, we have already started to pay it forward like many of you requested.

And wish me luck as I move forward in the niche blogging endeavor that I spoke of before.  So far, it has been slow, but the money is definitely trickling in.  If you’ve ever thought of doing it, I’d definitely recommend it - but starting sooner rather than later is the key since it takes a couple of months to start seeing the results of your work.  So please, if you get a moment, take a look at the niche blogger and what it entails.  And if you’re not into creating niche blogs, but have an idea for a niche, send it my way ;o)

Thanks again everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

As I revisit my simple Thanksgiving menu from last year, I decided I would repost it again this year and include a few more recipes.

Here is the menu again:

• Turkey - There are great prices on turkeys right now and I usually get one slightly larger than what we can eat.  That ensures leftovers for a couple of days.  Make sure to thaw your turkey in plenty of time for Thursday.
• Mashed potatoes & gravy
• Stuffing - Straight from the box will work.  Use stock from the turkey, or boil the turkey innards and use the stock from that to give your stuffing a delicious flavor.
• Green Beans - Fresh or canned will work.  Add some bacon to spruce it up if you’d like.  Really any vegetable will work.
• Rolls - Although I love to bake, Thanksgiving is too busy for me to bake bread, so I buy these from the store
• Yams and Marshmallows - mmm mmm goodness!
• Cranberry Sauce - You can use this straight from the can.
• Pumpkin Pie or Pumpkin Cheesecake - I noticed this year that the pre-made pumpkin pies are 2 for $5.  I think it’s a great price and I may cheat and just buy one instead of cooking one.

Remember that even when finances are tight, you really can pull off a nice holiday meal.  Also, while all the ingredients are on sale this week, you can stock up on some pantry items like broth and stuffing.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Last month I decided I was going to start clearing some food out of my pantry and freezer.  I hate when things get freezer burned or wind up with bugs in them and have to be thrown out, so that’s why I decided to start using some of my older items.  As an added bonus, I was looking forward to saving some money on my grocery bill.

So I set out to find recipes for the ingredients I had on hand.  I ran across www.supercook.com and was instantly hooked.  I created an account and started entering the items I had and instantly it started listing recipes for me.  It will tell you which recipes you have all the ingredients for and which recipes need one or two items.

I got about half of my pantry and freezer items entered and then started looking at the common kitchen items list.  I was able to easily click on each item to enter it and it included things like onions, egg, butter, etc.  Once I entered all of those, I was given an even larger database of recipes to make.

For an entire week, I came back to the site in search of a new recipe.  A couple of times I had to erase items from my list as I used them up, but it was such a great feeling.  Not only was I using up my items on hand, but I was saving a great deal on my groceries!  I only had to buy a couple of things like milk and bread which is substantially less than I would normally spend.

On the other hand, if you or your spouse don’t have a sense of adventure, this is probably not the thing for you.  We ate some very interesting meals - things we would not normally make.  For the most part, they were delicious, give or take a meal that was not terrible, just different.  Definitely got us back to the basics with things like rice and pasta.

So, if you’re looking to clear out some older items or if you’re looking to save some money in these weeks before Thanksgiving, definitely give this web site a try.  It’s easy to use and full of tons of great recipes!

With Halloween being a week away, some of us still need some quick and cheap ideas for costumes.  If you’ve looked at the stores, you’ll see that most costumes are not very cheap at all.  So where do you get good costumes at good prices?

1. Check parenting forums for their for sale or trade items.  There are many great deals on there and if they have a section where you just pay shipping, you can get an even better deal.
2. Check eBay.  The past couple of years I have gotten pretty good deals on costumes for my older son.  The best part is that I resold the costume the next year and got my money back!
3. Go to thrift stores.  Thrift stores have all kinds of costumes, clothes and props, so your creativity is the limit.
4. Lastly, if your store has an area where they keep dress up clothes, check there.  A lot of times they have the same types of costumes as the Halloween section, but at a reduced price.

Ideas for Cheap Costumes

• Ghost
• Clown
• Hobo
• Witch
• Dress as the opposite sex
• Businessman

Just to share what I did this year.  I got my youngest’s costume from a friend.  She was only going to charge me shipping on a cute little pumpkin costume (which would have been $3), but then she just sent it to me for free.  My oldest wanted to be Spiderman, but I was having a trouble finding a nice costume at a reasonable price.  I was outbid on eBay so many times and was getting frustrated.  So, while I was at Walmart one day, we were going through the toy aisles.  In the back, they had a dress-up section which had a Spiderman costume.  Couple of bucks cheaper than the actual Halloween costumes and it comes in a hanging case.  I think I got great deals this year!