I hate to find food in the refrigerator that didn't get eaten up or has gone bad. It feels like I am just throwing money into the trash when I have to throw away that food. There are a few things we do, though, to prevent this from happening: ∞ Weekday dinners: My husband and... Continue Reading →
Making sure the shoe fits!
Buying shoes for my kids can be a nightmare. I cannot always afford to go to a "real" shoe store with them to buy shoes. If I am going to Target, Wal-Mart, or even Once Upon a Child, I often go alone. I try to shop without them because I can better keep an eye on... Continue Reading →
Get rewarded for shopping – Part 2
Here are some more reward programs (or loyalty programs) sponsored by some great stores and brands! Hallmark Crown Rewards Earn points for your card and gift purchases at Gold Crown Stores. Points turn into gift certificates for use in the stores. Hallmark is a great place to not only get wonderful cards, but other nice... Continue Reading →
February is the time to buy…
Certain times of the year are the best times to buy various things based on sales and availability. Here is your tip sheet for this month: ∞ Air conditioners: Demand is low during the cooler weather, so retailers put their A/Cs on sale in December, January and February. However, some stores only carry air conditioners... Continue Reading →
Treat your shoes right!
Once you have found a pair of shoes you like and have spent money on, you want them to last. Nothing upsets me more than when my favorite pair of shoes wears out too fast or when my sons' shoes break after only a few months (or even weeks). Here are some tips on how... Continue Reading →
Doing a little “sole” searching
Shoes are something I find hard to shop for. Either I spend too little and they fall apart (like tennis shoes for my boys) or I find something I like and then they stop making it when I want a new pair (like my favorite pair of L.L. Bean Mary Janes). I am not a... Continue Reading →
January is the time to buy…
Certain times of the year are the best times to buy various things based on sales and availability. Here is your tip sheet for this month: ∞ Air conditioners: Demand is low during the cooler weather, so retailers put their A/Cs on sale in December, January and February. However, some stores only carry air conditioners... Continue Reading →
Are “deal-a-day” sites a good deal?
(updated 7/7/26) In the past, I subscribed to several "Deal-a-Day" sites and have purchased a few deals over the years. I sometimes found coupons for discounts off purchases at stores I regularly shopped at, like Office Max and The Body Shop. However, you must always examine whether these offers are such a good deal. For... Continue Reading →
Homemade vegetable wash: Worth it?
For years we have bought a special produce cleaner to wash our fruits and vegetables. We have tried several brands, but none are cheap. I happened to be watching an episode of the new talk show “The Chew” at work the other day. One of their hosts mentioned her own homemade fruit and vegetable wash.... Continue Reading →
Surf, shop, and share to earn rewards and prizes!
There are two basic components to living on a tight budget: spending less and earning more. I have written many posts on how to spend less. However, there are ways to earn more as well: ∞ Sell items you are done with or don’t need (Ebay, yard sales, consignment shops) or donate them and keep your... Continue Reading →