I was frugal today..

I had to run some errands today and pick up some neccesities at Wal-Mart so I had to come up with something quick and cheap for lunch and usually the kids throw a fit for McDonald's because they have Barbie stuff in the happy meals right now...lol but, today, I actually just told them that we were going to Sonic to get a blue coconut slush (they love those) and a cheeseburger and they were actually fine with it!! Yay for well behaved kids!! :) (I was really expecting a fit!)

Anyway, I ordered off of the dollar menu and it was 2:02 when I ordered so our $1 drinks were .50 cents!!!! YAY!!! I ordered 3 Jr. cheeseburgers , 1 small order of tator tots, 2 small blue coconut slushes and a medium sweet tea for me and my total came to....... $6.00!!!!!!

That's right, folks, $6, to feed me and ALL 3 children!!!! I think that was pretty reasonable for a fast food lunch and the cheeseburgers were really good!!! :)

How have you saved money lately???? Inquiring minds want to know!! Please share!!

~Julie~

Things I am dreaming of (and some I hope to get done before Drew arrives!)

We have been trying really hard to remodel our home and finish a lot of projects that have been started but not yet completed. We have a list that is outrageously long! lol. However, with Drew coming in just a few short weeks, I am starting to nest and get nervous about all of the things we need to accomplish! But, I am feeling really good, too, because this is when we get the most done! Under pressure!!! :o)

So, here are a few things that I am wanting to get accomplished before the big day, hopefully at least a month before the big day, which gives us very little time! If we don't get these things done, I am not going to freak out or anything. I have lived here for almost 9 yrs and I can deal with it longer if I have to!(A LOT of this WILL NOT get done; because of the time factor and financial reasons but we will be working on this through out the entire next year and WILL eventually get it exactly how we want it!) I am really excited!!!

This slipcover for the sofa except maybe in the chestnut color below:

These pretty floor lamps!

I LOVE the color of the paint in this bathroom and the metal/wood accesories. Would not use the tile, though.

New carpet for the living room and our bedroom, not sure about the girls room yet.
New tile for the foyer, dining room, kitchen, bathroom & utility room/half bath.

In the next post, I will share with you want I want to accomplish in the bedrooms and Drew's (very small) nursery! Stay tuned.......

Save$$$ on Laundry Softener...

I just got this tip from Taste of Home's Menu Saver Newsletter and I can't wait to try it! I NEVER thought of doing this but I am betting it works and I am all for homemade anything that saves money!!!! :o)



"Save on laundry softener with a reusable fabric softener cloth. Soak a wash cloth in a non-metallic bowl filled with liquid fabric softener for 30 minutes or until it soaks up the liquid fabric softener. Wear plastic gloves and take the wash cloth out of the bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid. (Pour the excess fabric softener liquid in the bowl back into the original fabric softener bottle to use another time.) Hang up the cloth to dry for 24 hours. You’ll have a fabric softener "sheet" that will last for 100-plus loads of laundry. When the fabric softener cloth stops working, just repeat the whole process."



Have a blessed day! Love, Julie

A Yummy, Filling, Cheap Meal!!!

To go with my post on saving money, I want to share one of our favorite meals with you! Homemade Baked Mac & Cheese (click for the recipe). It's one of the cheapest things I can make, even cheaper if you get WIC for your cheese and milk. We add a side or two of vegetables, usually steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, or peas. Very soon we will be having veggie stir frys out of our garden with the mac & cheese! Yummy!

It makes enough for tonights meal plus lunch tomorrow for us & Charlie to take with him. This is really good comfort food!!! *The only change I make is I use plain yellow mustard (out of the bottle) instead of dried mustard. So good and gives it a good color, too! Also, you can use rotini or shell or any kind of firm pasta. Tonight, we are using rotini that I got for 62 cents a box. Also, add a little more milk if it is too dry for you. And, I put crushed saltines on top and pour a little melted butter over them before baking (instead of using bread crumbs). Hope this helps!

I hope you can use this recipe to stretch your food budget a little farther! Enjoy!

*Also, check out Crystal's tips on money saving and this link, as well! Very helpful information!

Make it yourself...

I have been trying to save us money and cut corners in a lot of areas. Trying to be the best wife and mother I can be. I found this link and I wanted to share it with all of you! It has so many recipes and substitutions for many things that we buy that we consider essentials! A lot of ways to substitute or just make it yourself and save SO much money!!! :o) Check it out when you have the time. You can subscribe to their weekly newsletter, as well. Very helpful!

Have a great week!!!!