Frugal Challenge - Room By Room and my Faves from the .99 Cents Store

I have been doing some inventory in our house examining where we can save in each room. We have had brief meetings at the kitchen table reminding the kids of ways to save around the house. So I thought I would take my money saving challenge around the house and share with you so I will be doing my Frugal Challenge Room by Room.

It will challenge me to see where I can save in greater detail in each and every room.

Also wanted to share what I think are good buys at the .99 Store. Basic cleaning supplies are a good buy there and since I am committing to making as many of my own cleaners cheaply, I stocked up.

Today, I took a few bucks and bought some things I use for basic cleaners. I bought ammonia, cleanser, scouring pads, bleach (you can't find it for .99 anywhere else around here) and some dish soap.

The ammonia and dish soap go to make my homemade laundry stain remover. It will easily last the year.

The Zote which I grate for my home made laundry soap, is .59 a piece at the .99 Store. Better price than any where else.

I also buy rubbing alcohol that I mix with water to use as my all purpose spray cleaner. It is the best glass cleaner ever and I use it on counters as well. The recipe is here. You will see other items I use like vinegar and baking soda. So stay tuned for my Frugal Challenge Room by Room.
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Sunday at Home

We decided to stay home all day today. Stayed in my jammies cleaning and then took a bath and put on clean jammies. Love that! It was cool and crisp here and the kitchen always calls for a warm meal on cold days. I wanted to show you my calendar that I put up for the new year. Do you see a theme here? Didn't even realize it till it was hung that it coordinated so well.

Makes me think this shelf on the other side of the window will be changed up to the red, black and white color scheme. Hubby did this decor after Christmas but I see the wheels in his head churning. I know he will change it. He is sick I tell you. I am watching football and he is making up vignettes.

A beef roast in the crock pot with sauted veggies and rice for dinner. The leftover beef will be in tacos tomorrow night. I am really watching the food budget and using everything.

Another day at home catching up. It is such a good feeling. Of course we were trying to move a heavy piece of furniture and as we called to the littlest one to get out of the way, a big crash and she got bumped in the mouth by something falling. It scared the crud out of me. You would think after all these years we would know what we are doing. My oldest (the nurse) checked her over really well and thankfully all she got was a bump on her lip. She was fine but we felt awful because it sounded so terrible. I am so glad she was out of the way just enough.

You can see my hubby's changes for the kitchen shelf here.

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Sunny Simple Sunday Link Party

Another family birthday this weekend. They seem to bunch up around here.

I hope you all are warm on this winter weekend. Now let's enjoy some highlights from last week.

Hoosier at Heart shared her new kitchen. I would kill girl for that pantry cupboard. Two of mine could fit in there.

So happy for you in your new home.

I am so into your winter scenes since I don't get any snow here:

Our Neck of the Woods shared her snowy day with us. Oh it is like a Christmas card.

A Happy Gram shared her snowy porch. It is so cozy and festive.

Now share your links with us and happy Sunday!!

Frugal Challenge - Shopping the Loss Leaders

Remember the term "loss leaders?" It referred to the items grocery stores would put on their front page of sale ads to lure shoppers in knowing they would not make money on those items but the other items you would pick up while in the store. Well, I am not sure if there are any items they will loose money on but the stores all still have those bargain items to lure you in. The reason I bring this up is I am doubling down on lowering my grocery budget. Seems impossible but I want to closely track my spending and see if I can achieve this.

I used to be a big coupon shopper but have really cut back as we no longer have any stores that double coupons in our area. (Thanks Extreme Coupon shows) The value of the coupons is so much lower than before and I could not justify the rising cost of the Sunday paper so I cancelled it. I also would spend hours cutting and listing my shopping deals to find most items already bought out or out of stock and felt it was not worth my time.

So now I am going to try a new approach. In my daily travels of running the kids around I pass all the markets in our area. I will keep track online of any good deals and if it is worth a stop, I will pop in to snag the deals. Keeping to my list and not picking up extra items unless needed.

Here is what I have picked up so far this week and what I spent:
At CVS two lotions I really needed. Spent $6.85 with a prescription to get $6 back in extra care bucks (ECB) plus a $5 ECB for my last quarter shopping so I have $11 to spend next time. Good day to me.

At Albertsons they had the large packs of toilet paper and paper towels for $4.88. You can buy two a day for three days. Eight rolls of paper towels for $4.88 is a good buy in these parts when you can easily spend a dollar per roll or more.
I also bought:
Large beef roast (two meals will come out of this)
box of turkey burgers
buns
lettuce
tomatoes
3 boxes cereal
granola bars
large pack paper towels 8 rolls
large pack of toilet paper 16 double rolls
Used $1 coupon
total: $40.49 Not the best deals but worth buying

Next time I will share what I think is worth buying at the 99cents Store.
Sunny Simple Sunday will be up this afternoon.


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A Blogging Thank You!!

I am so glad to be this thing called a "blogger." It has been such a blessing in my life. I have made friends I see in person and friends who have sent me e-mails and messages that I have enjoyed receiving. Cards in the mail and phone calls from other bloggers helping me to spiff up my blog. I want to whole heartily say thank you.

Finding others interested in the same pursuits has widened my horizons and educated me. All from the comfort of home which is my favorite place to be. I saw that I was inching up on a 1000 followers as New Years approached and when I clicked on New Year's day I had passed that mark. Many have moved on from blogger and it doesn't really mean you have a 1000 followers but it made me smile. So thank you if you ever clicked that little button.

I have been blessed by those that have added me to their side bars. I am visual person and love scrolling down the blog lists of other bloggers to see where I want to click that day. I try to add those who have added me to my side bar list. If I have not added you then let me know and I will work on getting you on there. The kindness of others doing that for me has sent me so many nice folks who I would not have heard from otherwise.

I wish I could comment on every post I read. I just find I am on for a bit here and there as life calls us to what is really important, our homes and family. I hope I have been able to be a small part of your blogging life as well. And for the non bloggers that take the time to send me e-mails, you are very dear and sweet to take such time. Again, thank you from Elaine (me) at Sunny Simple Life. And it is sunny today. I am about to head out and let the chickens out. Good day everyone!

Frugal Challenge - 2013 Money Saving Challenge

The reality hits now. Once again I am joining Frugal Makes Cents for the 2013 Money Saving Challenge.
If you at all pay taxes or rely on an earned income for your living, you are going to pay higher taxes. The payroll tax holiday ends and everyone working will pay 2% more in taxes. If you earn $50,000 that is a $100 month less you will have to live on and if you make $100,000 that is $200 less you have each month to pay bills. Wow!!! I am sorry, but that is a lot of money to me. A weeks worth of groceries or a couple of utility bills worth. This with higher and higher costs for food and utilities, we are all going to have to get by with less. Plus like many others our health insurance has gone up once again. Hundreds less when the New Year turned over. Scary stuff!! Let me say this. I would happily pay this, I am not kidding, if I knew it would really go to pay down our countries massive debt. If other areas of the government spending were cut, but they are not and will not make any cuts. They just want more money to spend MORE AND MORE money. Can you imagine if you ran your house that way?

Okay, the rant is over. No onto the brass tacks. Here is where we have to make serious cuts in our spending.
My husband and I are pledging a year of austerity. Not as if we lived high on the hog before. Every facet of our budget and home is being examined. Our church just finished the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University. Whether you like Dave or not, his idea of every dollar on paper before the first of each month rang home to us. A plan for every dollar. We are not going to take a real vacation this year, nope, first time in all of our marriage. We will take long weekends to visit family and use points to take a long weekend at the beach in a hotel this summer and that is it. We are committing to reaching some of our financial goals this year. You cannot cut the every day expenses you have to pay that much, but we can cut out a vacation and use that money for other goals.

We are looking at our utilities and other monthly bills. When our cable TV contract is up, we are going to go without. We will watch movies online and just watch regular TV. Basic cable is so high, that at least for a period of time, we will go without to recoup that money. We are listing line by line all areas we think we may be able to cut back on. Don't be afraid to call and negotiate for a lower price. All they can do is say no.

Our monthly grocery and household supplies expenses need to be cut. I am not sure how I can cut any more but I think what I need to do is really get back to making as much of my own supplies as I can. Here are a few recipes I will be using. I also want to make more food from scratch. Growing as much as I can from the garden. For a packet of seeds, what I can harvest is really amazing.

We will continue to maintain our vehicles. They are ten years old, nine years old and four years old. Every month I don't have a car payment is a blessing. I HATE car payments. Even with repairs, we are money ahead. It also means lower insurance rates and state registration fees. I am beyond caring about what I drive. If it starts and gets me there, I love the car even more when it costs me less to drive it.

Sitting down and looking at every facet of your finances is not always fun. Not fun at all but I am determined to really examine our budget more than we ever have. We have committed time to sit down and see what we can cut line by line. What choice do we all have? I am not excited about living on less through no fault of our own but it is the reality. I will share with you our progress.

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And So a New Year Begins

It was a wonderful day to start the New Year. We gathered with family and friends to celebrate one of my girl's birthday. Just before our guests arrived when the house is set and waiting.

I was going to buy some flowers but decided to use beauty from the yard. Gathered warm hued candles and ripe oranges from the garden. Why not think of unusual but no less lovely items to grace our tables.

It has been a year of changes for us. Some very good, some I resisted but have learned to adapt to and thrive. It has been a year of some good changes personally and I think as a woman ages there is a freedom you gain. Time has lent us enough wisdom to know what we really want out of life. There are things I will never waste any time or energy on ever again. You are older and know what your focus is and what brings you the most peace and happiness. None of us knows what lies ahead and what the coming year will bring but I am so thankful to have my life really centered on what is best for the family and for myself. Here I am. What you see is what you get as they say. Thank you so much for another year of friendship and support. You all find a way to confirm what I am thinking and feeling. A group of women drawn together by a love of home.

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Happy New Year

In the quiet of the morning on a brand new day in a brand new year, I am up. Coffee in hand, the chickens have been let out and the big dog has gone to do her thing. She sneaks into a daughter's bedroom to curl up on the foot of a bed. Our animals are very spoiled here.
We stayed in last night. Declined two invites but just felt like staying home. We barbecued a delicious tri tip and fell into bed by nine. A dog at my feet and my hubby asleep next to me. The perfect way to ring in the New Year.
This is a busy week for us as we host Christmas and a family birthday on New Year's day. We are making a big turkey dinner as we had Mexican food on Christmas day as is not uncommon in Southern California. So hubby and I will begin our scurry in the kitchen. The turkey is in the brine and I cannot wait for the wonderful smell of it roasting in the oven.
I feel good about the coming New Year. I look forward to sharing the frugal challenge coming in the next few days. This will be a high priority for our household this year.
No resolutions, but I have been watching the calories lately. I actually lost a few pounds in December so I think I will keep that up. My daughter is running track and I refuse to let her head out for a run alone so I throw Q in the jogger and we chase her as best we can. Good for all of us. I will re-join a yoga class I have not been to in months as it really helped my flexibility. Move it or lost it right?
From my home to yours.... Happy New Year!!

Winter Red

I love red. After Christmas, the reds that remain, cheer me.

As the sun streams in, it says, "Hello morning."

Winter berries left in a crock .

Every few years I leave one of the small trees up for a couple extra months. I decided my winter woodland tree would be perfect.

Hearts that were bought our very first Christmas when we had a huge tree and no money to decorate it, will start to appear as we think of Valentine's.

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Sunny Simple Sunday

Getting back to normal around here. Always sad to see the Christmas decor be packed away but the restoration of normal is also very comforting. Things back where they belong. Had a nice day. Decided to wake the girls up and head out for an early breakfast and then a trip to the camera store for a new lens cap and cleaner. 

Now for a few features from last week:

A Sugar and Salt Scrub recipe from Family Home and Life. Perfect for that dry winter skin.

Call Her Blessed shares her "Pantle" with us. A piano that doubles as a mantle. Hey I have have one of those too. I love the winter scene she has set.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson  shared the most darling post of her daughter's vintage VW bug all set for the holidays.

Now onto what you have been up to this week. Thanks for linking up and joining the party:

On a Chilly December Day

Hello...

From our neck of the woods where it is chilly and rainy again. The hens are tucked up dry out of the rain.

A real hot cocoa kind of day.

I think I will take the tree down today but the snowmen wintry scenes will stay up through the first.

See you later today for Sunny Simple Sundays.

Top Posts of 2012

Funny when you write a post you never really know which ones will really be popular. Here are the three most clicked posts for 2012.

How to Clean Stove Burner Grates

Making Bananas Last Longer

This post is now my most viewed of all time. Who knew? It was pinned to pinterest and went crazy from there.

Organize Kitchen Counters Into Work Zones

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Sat. Night Special

The Last Few Days

We have had a very full and lovely last few days. It is evening and the kitchen is dark but I wanted to show you the little darling one of my girls put under the tree for me. Ain't she sweet?

We spent two days baking. Four kinds of cookies and toffee too.

The girls start baking as soon as they can sit up at the table. I just make the dough and they, along with a neighbor girl who has baked with us for 11 years, roll out, cut out and decorate. I love it. I run a tough kitchen don't I?

My oldest bakes the gingerbread men every year. This year we tried a very old recipe which made the best we have baked yet. I will have to share it.

Christmas Eve came and we let the kids each open one gift of my choosing. Usually jammies or slippers or maybe robes.

My SIL wraps things so beautifully. This girl loves owls so her gifts were in owl themed wrap. I am more of a wrap in what's handy and slap a sticky bow on it kind of gal.

Despite having a head cold that hit me hard Christmas Eve, we somehow made it through a party that night and hosting almost 20 people on Christmas day. If my husband had not dived in big this year and helped me shop, wrap and get the house ready, I fear things would not have went as smoothly as they did. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. We did and are now in our jammies watching TV and resting. Whew!

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Merry Christmas from the Coop and Me!

Even the chickens have Christmas lights.

An old snowman decoration I was ready to toss, hubby put in with the chickens. He said it is plastic and washable. He's perfect.

Merry Christmas to all of you from our home to yours!!

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A Very Merry Sunny Simple Sunday

Short and sweet my friends. Whoo-Hoo it is almost Christmas. We are finishing up cookies and rocking to some great tunes from the 80s. Oh they take me back. You know I can still remember the song playing when I first kissed my hubby. "Pictures of You" by the Cure. Love that song!! Merry Christmas. You all have a wonderful time with family and friends.

Broken Candy

Imagine yourself a young mother with eight children and it is coming up on Christmas. You are struggling to survive the changes that have been handed to you. Your husband has decided he would rather live with and raise the family down the street than to honor you and be with his own children. Imagine yourself at a time when we did not have the safety nets we have now. No food stamps, no means of income. This was the reality that faced my grandmother. This was the Christmas my mother faced as a little girl when her father abandoned them.

This is not however a story of anger but a story of simple Christmas blessings. My grandmother did not let this shock shake her faith. On Christmas she gathered up her children to head to church. After the service, while walking home, my grandmother instructed her children to wait outside a shop where she could see someone working in the back. While the children waited, she approached the man working in a candy store and explained to him that the children out front were hers and that she had no money to buy them anything for Christmas this year. Would the man be willing to let my grandmother have any broken hard candy he was going to throw away as a small treat she could give her children for Christmas. The man agreed and for that one year all my mother and her siblings received was a bag of broken candy for the eight of them to share.

My mother never told me this story until I was an adult. She said this was not a sad story but one of hope. What my grandmother overcame seems insurmountable to me. Often there was not enough food and the Salvation Army provided many a meal for them until they could get on their feet. My mom always felt that this experience was character building. I think she was smarter than I knew. My parents lived a very simple life with no frills but I felt rich as a child. I never knew hunger and always was cared for by two loving parents. A stable home was all my mother ever desired. She was very content in her simple life and I can remember thinking even as a young teen that I wanted a life like my moms. She always seemed content with what we had. Never a need to change what was still usable. Never a rushed feeling in our home chasing busy
schedules.

So as we race around trying to make everything perfect for the holidays, I remind myself of this story and that it does not take much to make a loving cozy Christmas. A warm home, some delicious food and thankfully we have always been able to provide more than broken Christmas candy. I love to make things special but I know more and more how at some point I just say that is good enough.

I wanted to share this story with you as a tribute to my mom but also to ask that if you pass the red kettle, think of dropping a little money in for the Salvation Army. They are a truly wonderful, selfless organization. 98% of all donations go to help those in need. I have always raised my kids giving donations to them every time we pass a kettle and making sure they know the story of how they helped my mother when she was young and how now we can give so they can help someone else.

Frugal Challenge - Cash Only Christmas

For the second year in a row, I spent only cash for all of my Christmas shopping, yet somehow this year I had a harder time covering it all and I even cut back on how much I spent. It seemed as if other things in life really hit us harder this year including all the everyday expenses plus large raises in college tuition for our second daughter. So then came Christmas, and though I am just about done, I am heading out today, early, for the last few items for stockings and some gift cards. I needed to wait until payday like I am sure so many others have.

When I was younger I would just charge everything I didn't have cash for and then cry when the bills piled in. I would over spend and buy way too much for the kids. These past years we have changed our thinking and spend much more carefully. Even though it is hard to always stretch the cash, it is so good to know I will wake up on Dec. 26th knowing I will not have Christmas to still pay for in the New Year. We have cut who we exchange with each year but the list is cut as far as I WANT to go. I still love to give gifts and if we can afford it, then I like to do it.

The kids gifts are mostly practical. No Ipads or anything fancy, Mostly new coats and clothes and of course some toys for Q. If our girls want something like a computer or expensive electronic they have to save for it. We can give them the amount of cash we would spend normally and they can add other gift money or savings to buy it themselves. This is nothing new for us but just what we have always done as we have four kids and never budgeted that much for a single gift. I think this has worked well as the kids have all of their original game boys and ipods that they have bought mostly themselves. You know the old adage, you will take better care of what you spend your own money on. Now don't get me wrong. If I could, I would love to give them these types of gifts, but like I said our budget never allowed for it so this is what we have come up with for our house.

Here is what I did that worked to help pay cash for Christmas but also improvements I need to make:
1) I bought gift cards I knew I would need throughout the year.
2) I have a gift savings account but clearly I need to budget more into it each month.
3) Purchase more gifts earlier in the year.
4) Budget more for those end of year expenses that always hit and I act like I am surprised. You know how    that goes right?

My husband and I have committed that after the holidays we are going to develop a new written budget. Together at the table hammering it out. We have some specific goals we want to meet and I don't have much faith that the gov't is going to solve our fiscal problems. I see higher taxes in our future. We want to be prepared for this as best we can. Our expenses are not going down but up, as incomes stay stagnant. Some things are changing for us, and college expenses are rising but we need to prepare for the coming changes the government is going to hand us all next year.
You can find my posts on the Thrifty Living Series here.

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December SoCal Garden

Hey can you believe I have tomatoes? Happens every once in a while where we don't have temps too low. I can pick until Christmas. Amazing. We were pretty cold last night so we will see what is out there this morning. These plants are just volunteers that came up from seeds dropped last summer.

I have kept the garden very full this winter to keep weeds down.

Nasturtiums roaming are threatening to take over.

Look I still have a pumpkin growing and somehow a couple stocks of corn are popping up.

So here is what I am harvesting this month:
lettuce
tomatoes
carrots
Swiss chard
bok choy
collard greens
chives
bell peppers

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