http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php Frugal Living Forums, a community that emphasize debt reduction, responsible spending, consuming less, recycling and helping each other bridge the gaps for a sustainable future. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:04 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4133 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:15:18 GMT I got the job!!! I was offered the job AND at the same salary. I am so glad that I do not have to be laid off and that I do not have to settle taking a lower paid job. I will basically be doing the same thing I am doing now except with more of an accounting focus. At first, it will be more... I got the job!!! I was offered the job AND at the same salary. I am so glad that I do not have to be laid off and that I do not have to settle taking a lower paid job. I will basically be doing the same thing I am doing now except with more of an accounting focus. At first, it will be more payroll tax though because it is the busy year end time. I start work on December 7th. I gave a two weeks notice to my current employer, plus I will have insurance through December 31st, which will be great! Then we can get on dh's insurance.

Not only did I get that job, but also I heard from H & R Block and they want to hire me. That will be a part time evenings and weekends job. I ended up getting a 97/100 on my final grade in the class. I will start training on November 30th and it will be 3 nights a week for 3 weeks. Then I start on the job January 2nd-3rd ish. ]]> beks37 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4133 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4132 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:02:21 GMT I was responding to a thread on eating cheap for an extended period of time. My response.I have had periods early in our marriage where we were short on cash or when my MIL lived us the woman (as my mom would say could squeeze a buffalo nickel till it S--t). Her tips, she would buy organ meats like... I was responding to a thread on eating cheap for an extended period of time. My response.I have had periods early in our marriage where we were short on cash or when my MIL lived us the woman (as my mom would say could squeeze a buffalo nickel till it S--t). Her tips, she would buy organ meats like kidneys, or fish paste(a fishmeat ground up with a filler probably flour that you could fry, Tofu and her favorite(porridge with ground meat usually pork)oatmeal or peanut butter toast. My mothers dollar stretching was liver and onions and ground meat with pasta done 365 different ways. Besides all of theirs.Here are mine. I have used is use less meat if it calls for a pound us a half. Meatloaf or sloppy joes where you extend with bread or oatmeal. Chipped beef gravy on toast, french toast- we had a bakery outlet by us. peanut butter toast and homemade oatmeal.Eggs. Look at your cost per serving. I also shop the markdown meat and could even eat cheaper but my husband makes a good living and food is important to him. I made chicken gizzards and hearts marked down to $1 and made curry with them.He told me that he had enough money to buy regular chicken I also love liver and onions. I have also used canned or dried milk and meat substitutes to stretch meals. Other things I use are food combining to create a complete protein Like oatmeal with milk or beans with rice. Stir fry with the meat cut up into small chunks so they think they are getting more(fried rice is also like that you can use little meat. I also would buy the whole chicken if cheaper and cut up myself, make my own soup stock or eating a soup like chili for dinner. Other ideas would be if you find mark down cheese make quesadias. or beans with tortilla's My kids ate cereal for snacks along with the popcorn. Double coupons and combining with sales. One of my favorite cookbooks is The Frugal Gormet's books. It also helps if you love leftovers. I could eat the thing all week if I like it so a big pot of chili or pasta would feed me for days. ]]> frugal-fannie http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4132 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4131 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:45:22 GMT In this new age and day, everybody is trying to be more organized. Reason is we sometimes act lazily due to which we are unable to manage our time in a proper way. But we all need to realize about the importance of time management so that we can successfully achieve our goals and objectives of... In this new age and day, everybody is trying to be more organized. Reason is we sometimes act lazily due to which we are unable to manage our time in a proper way. But we all need to realize about the importance of time management so that we can successfully achieve our goals and objectives of life. You should also read articles on current affairs. Enhance your knowledge as much as you can so that you won’t have problem to be a successful man of this world. You might spend ample of hours on watching T.V. It’s not bad to watch T.V but it’s not good to waste your time on it.

You should have a paper and pen to make a to-do list. It’s important because when you write down things you do every day, you don’t have to recall them over and again while brainstorming. From your wakeup time to sleeping time, you should write down all the activities. After putting your daily schedule on paper, now you have to think about your wasting time activities. These are the activities which don’t give you any type of fruitful result. You get yourself indulged in these activities for the purpose of time passing. Why you are doing this? You can utilize this time superbly by adopting best time management skills.

If you are surfing on net then you shouldn’t waste your time on chatting. Instead, you can do several useful things on net. For example, you should open those types of websites through which you can get utmost knowledge. Know about the history of different events which are happened in the past. When you feel yourself helpless to organize according to the time passes by then you need to look at following time management tips which will give you good feelings. The first thing you have to do is to lock yourself in a noise free room, where you can obtain much leverage to think about your daily routine.

Always remember that people, who are successful today, know well how to make best time management plan. These people wanted to be something and they have achieved their goals efficiently because they knew that time is very precious and it can never come back to you again. If you are a office going person then you have to go through a very tough routine. In this manner, the only thing you have to do is to maintain your life. You should get up early in the morning and take your exercise. You will see that when you will do exercise in the morning, you will never get tired whole day. After coming back to your office, you should relax your mind by watching T.V and by having chit chat with your family. ]]> rizwan007 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4131 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4130 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:25:23 GMT This is my time of year-I love fall and all the holidays. After Christmas winter just drags and I could get depressed--but I won't. I'm busy making my charity things and Christmas presents. I will keep busy afterwards and dream of spring !! ]]> Imarachne http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4130 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4129 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:07:10 GMT Things are just coming along.We put up our Christmas tree but didn't hang any breakable ornaments. We have to season it a few days and make sure the cat has a chance to climb it and knock it down before the breakable ornaments go on. Since we are not doing Thanksgiving at our house it has allowed me to go straight for Christmas. My daughter in Austin passed her national exam for coding yesterday. Whoo Hoo , I am so happy for her the test takes around 4.5 hours and costs around $400 for the pleasure of taking the CCS exam. She just missed it by a few points the last time she took it, but studied for the last year and did it. It took her longer because she was the one paying for the test this time. I am hoping my older daughter who also missed it by a few points will get on the ball and start studying now. I am just working on laundry and dishes, and preparing my lunch. I think I am doing the whole wheat pasta as my husband doesn't like it and it is better for me than rice.I am also doing the water drinking challenge so I have started for the day. I am hoping to hit 64oz today. ]]> frugal-fannie http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4129 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4128 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:13:32 GMT Freezer Challenge week 4 -- Thanksgiving This is what is left: lamb for gyros puff pastry used some meatballs (dinner) tomato sauce (pizza) used some roasted tomatoes (pasta) used some Freezer Challenge week 4 -- Thanksgiving

This is what is left:


lamb for gyros
puff pastry used some
meatballs (dinner)
tomato sauce (pizza) used some
roasted tomatoes (pasta) used some
whole tomatoes (soup) used some
dirty rice (dinner)
bbq beef (for bbq beans) used some
pesto used some
won ton wraps (chinese dumplings)
choc chips
pierogies
ground pork (chinese dumplings)
green chilis
walnuts
short ribs (dinner)
tamales
sauerkraut
smoked pork
corned beef
bbq pork (sandwiches)

I went looking for the pot roast this week and found out it did not exist. Ooops. I did find a 2nd half pound of ground turkey and two packages of cold cuts, though. I swear there is a wormhole back there that food keeps falling through from other people's freezers.

I used the ham this week for soup. It wasn't great, but it's gone now.

Next week we will at least eat the meatballs one night. We can't do the lamb or bbq pork because I'd have to buy pita and buns, and there won't be room due to all the thanksgiving stuff. I really want to save the smoked pork and short ribs for December (these will be special meals for us).

I expect to use the walnuts in something for thanksgiving.

I need to come up with some kind of plan for Saturday through Wednesday. I do, of course, have other food in the house to choose from.

The compressor is sounding really bad. We priced new refrigerators... $2000 for something similar in size to what we have now!! It will be around $500 to get it fixed when it goes. I have the repairman's phone number on my desk.... ]]> Contrary Housewife http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4128 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4127 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:37:36 GMT I took a few hours off today and got soooo much done here at home. No charting but everything else got done!! Whooo Hoooo I took a few hours off today and got soooo much done here at home. No charting but everything else got done!! Whooo Hoooo ]]> Backtoreality http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4127 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4126 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:55:10 GMT So today I only needed to feed 1 guy out in the field, boy was that nice. Helped DH work some cattle this morning and then the rest of the day pretty much to myself. Went into town to get more rabbit feed and a "lick tub" for the cows...now these things weigh 240 lbs. so when I got home I scooted it out of the pick-up and onto the back of the 4 wheeler, sitting pretty stable I thought! Drove into the yard were the cows are and it is a little bumpy from the mud drying, the tub slips, but I catchit, but it slips again onto my leg and then the ground, ouch that hurt! Getting a bruise the size of my fist on my upper leg, I can not EVER remember not having some sort of a bruise on my body!
:(

S. ]]> Sundae http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4126 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4124 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:15:29 GMT I am going to a friends house for Thanksgiving but I am going to buy my Thanksgiving meal and serve it at Christmas. So as I was looking at the adds for the week. I could easily do Thanksgiving for under $25 as long as you didn't have to count your $25 minimum purchase towards the dinner.This is the time I would stock up on the canned veggies as it is a great price or other loss leaders on items I regularly use.

Cheapest Vons/Safeway has $5 Whole Turkey up to 16# size with $25 min purchase.Other specials Veggies Corn and beans .59 a can. Salad express .99 bag ,onions for 1#.98 and celery .98 each,
Corn bread Jiffy mix 2 for .88 other mixes for biscuits can even run cheaper, Stove top .78, Yams 1.29 a can along with mini marshmallows .78 for a bag along with brown sugar 1.29.- I use these 3 items for a sweet brown sugar , yams topped with marshmallow bake that is like desert. Previously bought Eggs.99 a dozen Deviled eggs and 10#potatoes 1.98. Albertons Store here has Pumpkin pie with bryers ice cream both for $2.99.
That would be a heck of a spread. Other ways to cut the cost even more. Serve Orange jello for desert or cake with home made icing, instead of pie and ice cream. If you are like me you stocked up on canned pumpkin markdown after last holiday, I am not sure even then I could beat that price for the pie and ice cream. Make your own stuffing with mark down bread. Make your own biscuits or rolls. Grow your own lettuce or greens for salad or your own veggies. Don't serve as many dishes. You can adjust your meal plans but easily keep it between $10-$25 dollars. If you have coupons you can also get items reduced or nearly free like the stuffing, etc. ]]> frugal-fannie http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4124 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4123 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:22:41 GMT Ok, I had my second interview last Thursday. I thought it went really well. I was comfortable and not nervous. The only thing was that I managed to keep from coughing until the very end! Right before the boss shook my hand, I coughed and then kept coughing! So I didn't get a call on Friday and then was waiting all weekend. Well today I got the call! They offered me the job and I accepted. It is so awesome that I now have a permanent job! No layoff for me. So, wow that was just too easy. I start in two weeks, on or about December 1st. Now, I have a few things to do.

1) Buy almost a whole new wardrobe. I have been allowed to wear jeans, tshirts, etc for the past 1 and 1/2 years. So I have next to no nice clothing!! I guess that's what the bonus I am getting is going towards. I'll probably have to drop a few hundred dollars to get some nice clothes. The frugal side of me is screaming!
2) Get health insurance figured out.
3) Lose some weight so I can look good in all those new clothes!
4) I'm sure there's more things to do! ]]> beks37 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4123 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4122 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:14:07 GMT Tonight I am cooking boneless pork ribs with rice. Last night my daughter cooked her BF and 2 of his friends, home made fries and cheeseburgers. I went shopping some more and started getting items for the yearly gift baskets. I picked up some cute items some Gingerbread cookie tins and a snowman... Tonight I am cooking boneless pork ribs with rice. Last night my daughter cooked her BF and 2 of his friends, home made fries and cheeseburgers. I went shopping some more and started getting items for the yearly gift baskets. I picked up some cute items some Gingerbread cookie tins and a snowman container with white cotton candy. I already have the wine. I also bought the small packets of ground coffee one is gingerbread and another is pecan pie for the gift baskets, but they sound so good I may have to try them first. I usually buy movies and games as a family gift so I have started looking for sales. I bought Ice age 3 and am looking for the best price for Star Trek and UP.I also love the Christmas movies so I will add on to my collection. I usually buy action and comedy or love stories.The boy in the stripped pajamas was a good movie but I probably cannot watch it for about 5 years it makes me so sad. That is about it. I finished the food boxes and turned them in to the church and am working on coupons and laundry right now. ]]> frugal-fannie http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4122 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4121 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:52:39 GMT Sunday - liver/onions, buttered peas, boiled potatoes, applesauce Monday - leftover chili, spooned over baked potatoes, cucumber/onion/radish salad Tuesday - oven baked fish, corn, slaw Wednesday - fried pork chops, california veggie mix, ambrosia Thursday - crockpot chicken breasts,... Sunday - liver/onions, buttered peas, boiled potatoes, applesauce

Monday - leftover chili, spooned over baked potatoes, cucumber/onion/radish salad

Tuesday - oven baked fish, corn, slaw

Wednesday - fried pork chops, california veggie mix, ambrosia

Thursday - crockpot chicken breasts, rice, oriental veggie mix, pudding

Friday - tomato/cheese pie, tossed salad, baked apples

Saturday - lamb burgers, carrot/celery/pepper sticks, broiled bananas ]]> sunshine http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4121 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4120 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:46:29 GMT I looked at the Calendar and thought omg, its like almost Thankgiving, then Christmas and not mention my alltime favorite madness day, Black Friday. Well I figured I better start making a list of christmas ideas and what the kids want and stuff that I know they need as opposed to stuff that just... I looked at the Calendar and thought omg, its like almost Thankgiving, then Christmas and not mention my alltime favorite madness day, Black Friday.
Well I figured I better start making a list of christmas ideas and what the kids want and stuff that I know they need as opposed to stuff that just looks like yay, I want this and that and this and that.
So I organized the xmas lists got that straightened out, I went to the Christmas Tree Shoppe, which I love and got some adorable little fabric xmas gift bags to stuff with goodies for the girls here at work, they were $1.00 a piece so I couldn’t resist. I think I'm going to do the bath salts idea and then might add something extra to it, so that’s in gear for gifts for the girls at work. I found this weekend at Goodwill this cute teacup that was attached the base, it is blue with dark blue polka dots for $.97 so I purchased that and will put a lil net bag of bathsalts in that, plus I'm going make homemade glass ornaments this year, the small ones so that should work out good for DD's teachers xmas gift.
My freezer is still packed so I'm going just stock up on the cleaning supplies and dry goods as planned. I have one more payment on our new TV that I had on layaway at Sears after finding out they pricematch and layaway, so we saved almost $85.00 on this TV after Sears price matched it plus added 10% to our bill discount. I was very happy with that idea. Now I just need to get a new entertainment stand for the TV so that is what I will be scoping out the next time.

We took the kids to a Ghost Tour this weekend after our day of shopping and getting ideas, they had a great time, not mention the weather was really nice too, we sat outside and ate ice cream which was a nice treat. Sunday we went to moms for Dad's birthday, and I was up at the crack of dawn, making this chocolate cake from scratch which turned out to be delish as well as my homemade icing, Everything turned out to be a big hit. I might doctor up the recipe next time to add some extra ingredients for surprises, but we'll see. This weekend ahead is one I'm planning on stocking up stuff, paying the utilities, car payment, cable bill then the rest is going to a pot for black Friday next week so Xmas shopping here we come. I just love this time of the year, the warmth, the excitement, the food yes the food..whoo hooo! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4120 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4118 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:33:38 GMT Well other then it being one of those hecktic days around here, I was blessed to find out my kids had made a difference in someones life. OK so after the day my kids and I (dh had to stay in the field and harvest) went to the 4H annual awards night yada yada yada with all the kids awards, yup... Well other then it being one of those hecktic days around here, I was blessed to find out my kids had made a difference in someones life.

OK so after the day my kids and I (dh had to stay in the field and harvest) went to the 4H annual awards night yada yada yada with all the kids awards, yup mine were in there too some where. But then the 4H specialist called 2 of my kids up humm whats going on here...she said she had gotten a phone call from a gal about 100 miles away that my kids had met at the Sate Fair in the summer of 2008, she said that she had learned from them about a gourd she had never heard of before and that she is a pumpkin and gourd grower and has a pumpkin patch. She said that she had learned alot from the kids and that she grew these gourds this year and they were a big hit at her patch, she wanted to send the kids some money and wanted to know if they could be presented with it at the awards night, so she sent a letter to the office explaining what I just wrote and then also sent the kids a personal note to say thank you to them and how she had grown these gourds this year and each a check for $10. It was a way of showing that 4H'ers do make a difference in peoples lives.

I just love the 4h program from cooking, photography, livestock, wood working there is something for every kid!! If you have kids and are reading this and your child is not in 4h maybe it might be a good idea to check it out in your area!! Usally (I can't spell) they need to be in 4th grade and up.

S. ]]> Sundae http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4118 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4117 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:09:58 GMT I'll be 49 years old!!?!

I'm not really expecting much, my kids are all over the states and asia. My DH is back to work at 0300 tomorrow. I have to work. And to be honest my siblings and father have not acknowledged by birthday in years (decades).

But I vowed to be in better shape (physically & financially) at 50 than at 40. That is my gift to myself, a full year of giving to myself first. To stop doing things that I really don't want to do. To stop and think before I say "yes". ]]> Backtoreality http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4117 http://www.FrugalVillage.com/forums/blog.php?b=4116 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:07:50 GMT *_InternetDrugCoupons.com (http://www.internetdrugcoupons.com/)_* 100% FREE!!! Hundreds of coupons for prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and medicines for pets. InternetDrugCoupons.com
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