http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/ Frugal Living Forums, a frugal living community with emphasis on debt reduction, responsible spending, consuming less, recycling and helping each other bridge the gaps for a sustainable future. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:03:05 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/ http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5468-thankful-post-copyied-my-fb-account.html Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:26:59 GMT November 13, Thankfulness and Grateful Post. Today I am thankful for having the warmth and stability of a home. We have worked hard to get our home 6 years ago and have made it ours. After "living the white picket fence life" then starting from nothing, to living in an apartment in Baltimore, then relocating to Hagerstown to finally living where we are, I am proud to say that everything I/we have is what we have worked for. I always said, our house may not be the biggest house in the world, or the newest, "its our little crooked house to go along our little crooked life", but what we have in it, we have made and done ourselves. From ripping up carpet and replacing it with hardwood floor, to redoing the upstairs bathroom, to now working on the downstairs bathroom, putting in a patio; taking out the drop ceiling in the living, replacing it with a new ceiling and ceiling fan, the list is endless. It is an accomplishment in itself. We love the fact that everything is a work in progress, and keeps progressing from what we changed 6 years ago. For that I am truly thankful for all the possibilities and new ideas we are bringing together, there is a big laundry list of ideas yet to be completed including the kitchen, but what better way to accomplish these things then to do them yourself. I love my little life, my family and my "better half" to make everything all worth it. For this I am truly grateful!

I still am still being as frugal as I can be, i'm going ont he 4th year of making my own detergent, i've also made my own fabric softener for the past several years a recipe I have tweaked a bit, I still make homemade gifts for my friends/coworkers to save money, and i'm also a couponer and that is my new obsession...... ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5468-thankful-post-copyied-my-fb-account.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5455-just-keep-swimming.html Fri, 10 Aug 2012 02:46:01 GMT Ok, so they say this is the first day of the rest of your life, and I'm going to believe that! Payday day is tomorrow so that is a high note, plus it's the weekend so for that I'm grateful! I'm planning on getting peaches to can and last week I canned tomatoes, so I'm slowly building up my stock again! I finally paid off the plumbing bill that I have been chipping along with, so now onward to the next bill I suppose! We finally purchased 2 cabinets and are on our way to our third, so once they are up I will feel the sense of progress! Ill just keep swimming I suppose because that is the safest route! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5455-just-keep-swimming.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5448-sometimes-history-repeats-itself-sigh.html Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:53:10 GMT Here we go again….

Our little vacation has set us back a few hundred dollars, so I hope to have everythignsquared away by next pay on 7/27, but omg, this is stressing me out to no end. I just hate being unorganized and having to live paycheck to paycheck, and i've had to since the end of June and its making me go bananas!! Not to mention DP’s pay was 100 short 2 weeks ago, so just as I was coming out of the woods, they pulled me back in. Ugh, I’ve been doing so good and now this has me all in a tizzy.

Upside is well we were able to get some fresh homegrown greenbeans that we cleaned and snapped this weekend, and I have two gorgeous zucchinis to use. I’m planning on making zucchini bread to freeze as well as some zucchini cakes (they taste just like crab cakes minus the crab). It’s a great meal and something different to feed the kids.

I’m trying to stay on a positive note here, so just bare with me  ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5448-sometimes-history-repeats-itself-sigh.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5331-oh-weather-outside-frightful.html Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:21:18 GMT Well well well, Christmas is upon us in a few days and I have accomplished a lot, and still have a lot to do. I did some wrapping over the weekend as well as finished most of the kids presents up. Its getting more and more difficult to purchase for my son who is 14. All he wants is X box games and... Well well well, Christmas is upon us in a few days and I have accomplished a lot, and still have a lot to do. I did some wrapping over the weekend as well as finished most of the kids presents up. Its getting more and more difficult to purchase for my son who is 14. All he wants is X box games and they are 59.99 a pop, I have one purchased and still have to get the 2nd game. I have gotten him clothing as the remainder of his gifts which is fine with him, as he wanted Sneakers and a nice coat which I have purchased both, so he should be done minus the game. Madison on the other hand I have most of her gifts purchased as well but I still need to get one or two more, go equal up moneywise with what I bought Nick. Then to finish the rest of the presents this Friday will be the big task, along with planning a Christmas Eve menu, of clams, shrimp and either homemade crab cakes from Crab meat that is on sale this week, or do lil filets. Then the money will be done being spent. Thank goodness.

I was able to get a few lil crocks at Goodwill this weekend, which I will be filling with my flavored maple honey butter and also got lil bread tins to make my applesauce bread tonight. Ugh..now if I could only have time to breath. But that will be at 4:30 on Wednesday where I will start my vacation till Tuesday. So that I am very thankful, just need to keep stretching the money. So far the bills are still on track, now extra money I get for Christmas will be put in the savings because our Kitchen cabinets are the next big expenditure! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5331-oh-weather-outside-frightful.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5324-just-when-im-out-they-pull-me-back.html Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:32:40 GMT Well I was able to knock out a few Christmas gifts this weekend, and also got another heater which ended up being more expensive then the one we returned. But I spoke to the person at Lowes and they gave me an even swap. Well thinking that would go off without a hitch, they never credited my... Well I was able to knock out a few Christmas gifts this weekend, and also got another heater which ended up being more expensive then the one we returned. But I spoke to the person at Lowes and they gave me an even swap. Well thinking that would go off without a hitch, they never credited my account, and then the bank put three overdraft charges through on my account by doing a debit before a credit on Thurs and I got paid Friday. So after keeping everything on budget and writing down all my expense I was thrown off when I checked the account this morning and it was negative! WHAT??? Exactly, so luckily I working he BOA building, and went downstairs to inquire about my return credit from Lowes and she said it was Lowe’s system that was holding up the work, and then I told her about reversing the OD charges since my account hasn’t been negative so long, I didn’t wanna travel down that road again, and after pleading, she looked into the account and saw that they charges came out right before my direct deposits and then reversed all my charges, so my then negative account now has money back in it, and the Lowes credit should be put in tonight, so that will bring me back to what I had in my checkbook before all this mess. Omg I swear, its like you try and try and try and everything else does not fall into place. I am more and more leaning to the fact that once payday is hear I am going to take money out for the week and then not use the debit card. Because that only gets me in hot water with gas charges, etc, so that way the money in the checking account is for any overages that might have come out, or not pended and then the cash will just be that, cash that when its gone its gone. This is going to be my new word of thumb. I am much much more frugal when I have the cash, because I see what it was and how it goes down when I spend it, and how much more thought is put into it, then just swiping a card.

I scanned the newspaper last night, and need to make a thrifty trip to the grocery store, with the budget in mind what I want to spend and with my list and I know a few coupons I should come out over, so wish me luck. I am so so so thankful she reversed those charges…*sigh* ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5324-just-when-im-out-they-pull-me-back.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5317-spend-spend-spend.html Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:15:05 GMT Well the month of stress is upon us. I made it through Thanksgiving and Black Friday, although I went over my budget by 70.00 it made me angry because this week has been very tight until payday tomorrow. We did a impulse purchase at Lowes as they have this “woodstove” type Electric Heater which... Well the month of stress is upon us. I made it through Thanksgiving and Black Friday, although I went over my budget by 70.00 it made me angry because this week has been very tight until payday tomorrow.

We did a impulse purchase at Lowes as they have this “woodstove” type Electric Heater which was normally 99.00 which I was planning on purchasing on 11/23/11 because I had a $10.00 off coupon on anything over $50.00 but decided against it when I saw the Black Friday Ad had it for $59.00. Which was fine and dandy but our home security alarm (AD*PAIN IN THE A$$ T) payment came out which I did NOT budget for, so that plus an unneeded expense of a $19.00 ladder at Lowes which was a good deal because it was normally a $70.00 purchase, with all that it pushed me over the budget just a bit. I was so happy with myself by the day before Thanksgiving, as I had a budget, took my list to the grocery store, I was able to get my .80 cents off the pound price of our Turkey and only purchased what I needed for dinner as I had the other stuff in the stock pile and freezer. Then Black Friday comes along and all those tempting sales tossed me out the window without a net.

So I have made it through the week (barely) and now wait for tomorrow’s paycheck. Car payments are coming out, electric payment is coming out, and paying down on credit cards will leave me with approximately 400 to get to the following week. With that I have a itemized list of the kids gifts that I will be getting bit by bit prior to the last waking hour of 12/24/11.
I am going to stick to this budget if it kills me, and although I feel like omg, whats’ going on, I just keep chugging along and with the way things should work out, I should be back on track by 12/30/11. Everything will be paid and I can start fresh in January. I think I look forward to after Christmas just so I can stop the spend spend spending. I am though going to make gifts for the girls here at work, which will save money, I’m looking up recipes for flavored oil’s/salad dressing as well as make them flavored butter in little crocks that I plan to get at Hobby Lobby.

I’m trying to stay organized but I will be so relieved when all this spending is over with. ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5317-spend-spend-spend.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5304-organized-just-little.html Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:44:14 GMT Ok, so I do not want to be at work today, I feel like I have tons of stuff to get accomplished at home and this place is just cramping my lifestyle. Albeit it does pay the bills but still… Over the weekend I got my coupon binder in hand, finished cutting all the coupons and now I’m sorting all... Ok, so I do not want to be at work today, I feel like I have tons of stuff to get accomplished at home and this place is just cramping my lifestyle. Albeit it does pay the bills but still…

Over the weekend I got my coupon binder in hand, finished cutting all the coupons and now I’m sorting all of them by category and I have 3 pages of my binder complete. I know need to bring some lil black binder clips into play, to attach the newspaper flyers and I will be ready for take off.

I am now trying to coordinate all the black Friday deals and make my list accordingly. I’m a list maker so the more I write stuff down, the more organized I become. The big expenditures are going to be a laptop versus desktop. There are two good deals at Walmart, but I want to definitely weigh my options but I’m still very undecided.

Christmas presents for the girls at work are still in the works, I’m thinking this year, doing flavored butters, and purchase those lil butter crocks as well as flavored vinegars/salad dressing. I still need to research recipes for the vinegars but that is where I am right now.

Ugh…see I should not be at work today… ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5304-organized-just-little.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5301-coupons-whatnot.html Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:17:56 GMT Wow, where does time go… As I look back on my prior blogs, it seems like I haven’t been here in like months, then it skips to a year prior…so to get everyone up to speed, I originally started out working for 2 attorneys, due to the alignment I was then assigned 2 more attorneys and now I have... Wow, where does time go…

As I look back on my prior blogs, it seems like I haven’t been here in like months, then it skips to a year prior…so to get everyone up to speed, I originally started out working for 2 attorneys, due to the alignment I was then assigned 2 more attorneys and now I have been assigned a 5th attorney due to my efficiency…WTH??? Yes, my thoughts exactly, anyways I thought I would let you know what I’ve been up to. I think I now am addicted to couponing. I have gotten my self a big binder, (one that was going to be recycled at work) so I didn’t have to purchase it, next I got myself some baseball card inserts and now I’m in the process of doing my coupons. I need yet to get a printer to hook up to my older than a dinosaur computer at home, so it will be compatible and I can utilize all the coupon websites. I can access them at work, but since we are on a secure server, no downloading is allowed on my computer unless it is a corporate generated download. Anywho, so until I find myself in the land of the “advanced computer techies” will just purchase 4 papers every Sunday to get me started on a smaller scale. So that is where I am, I’m organizing my new found coupon binder.

I still am making my own laundry detergent and its hard to believe that I have been doing this for at least 3 years now, and I really notice the extra money that is being saved. I now am religiously putting money into the savings account on a weekly basis to get a cushion established for Xmas gifts. We have been doing a lot of home projects to keep costs down of hiring people to do same, wherein we can do for a much cheaper price. Next thing on the house list is to get cabinets for our kitchen, so hopefully by the beginning of the year, we will have a lil cushion of money put aside with my tax return and bonus to get everything under way. There is so much that we want to do and well its our house so we can take our time. Hope everyone is having a great day, as I am now turning over a new leaf, I am pushing the unwanted “stress” out of my life, not listening or being brought into drama, and relaxing, relating and releasing….*thanks Patty*. ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/5301-coupons-whatnot.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4992-i-keep-rising-dead.html Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:50:42 GMT My last prior two posts have me being risen from the dead, so I thought i would go for a third time. Yes I am still alive, and yes I am still being frugal. I am right now hoping my tax return gets deposited tomorrow since everyone I know has been having problems with either deposit, or their... My last prior two posts have me being risen from the dead, so I thought i would go for a third time. Yes I am still alive, and yes I am still being frugal.

I am right now hoping my tax return gets deposited tomorrow since everyone I know has been having problems with either deposit, or their status being changed to a check, so at this point who knows...all I know is my trust issues with the IRS right now are very thin and not worthy thats for sure.

I did manage to in the past couple months take control of two credit cards that have been driving me bananas. I enrolled in a debt payback plan and now have the two credit cards consolidated and now are being paid of in one payment automatically debited from my bank account monthly. So that was a big relief because I was tired of paying the large interest fees and not having anything go towards principle. So now they interest has dropped to 6% and all fees have been waived. CareOne is the company if any one is interested and I have been with them since about October and so far so good.

So ok, Tax refund show me the money, I have all these projects I would like to get done and also would like to make a large payment on the one credit card to pay it off so I am able to use that card for emergencies. Ugh, me and waiting do not mix one bit..

Well back to work, and hope everyone is having a good day! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4992-i-keep-rising-dead.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4695-back-dead.html Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:47:17 GMT Wow, time for an update, I noticed I haven't been on here since May and my lil yard sale, so now is time to update. Our Williamsburg trip was a blast as usual, then we skipped all the way through summer, where I wook the kids down to Wildwood just for a little mini vacation weekend it was much needed and everyone had a blast. School has started again and they were oh so happy to get back into the grind, my son is now in 8th grade and my daughter has started 6th grade so this should prove to be an interesting year. Maddie has also made her dance company which will mean lots of travel and competitions for her, but she loves it and since I was a dancer/choreographer all through school and after, I suppose she is following in mommy's footsteps. My x husband made the choice to give our son a cell phone on his plan minus the internet, but then my daughter decided she wanted one. Well my partner and myself had chosen the route of the prepaid phones only because we hated being in contracts with enormous fees and extra charges, so I decided to give Maddie my tracfone for emergencies and since it only gets loaded with minutes every month she has to be "frugal" in her talks and texts, so it makes her a little more mindful in a tiny way about money etc. We have been doing lots of get togethers with the great friends of ours and we did a road trip to spam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typedspam! It is better fried than typed Hotdogs down in LaSage WV which was 5 1/2 hours away for just a hotdog, well the trip then entailed driving around to other siteseeing adventures, a pink elephant and polka dotted giraffe and then we saw a sign for Ashland, KY which then we all decided to say what the He** and we drove to KY, hitting Ohio (no clue how we got there) on the way to KY. So that trip was so fun and wild we all decided to do something crazy again, so the 24th we're planning a road trip to Memphis, yep I know its crazy, but we are leaving on Friday around 5ish, picking up our friends in WV and heading straight to TN, got a room at a hotel, sleeping for a bit, then waking up, siteseeing and then going to go visit the Neeley's restaurant, do some other quick visits then head home early Sunday morning for arrival back in PA Sunday evening, so I can then in turn get up on Monday morning and head to work!!! Crazy I know, but omg, I'm so looking forward to it. Most are probably saying its not very frugal, but it is when you are dividing the cost between 6 people, packing lunches and craming the most into a little getaway as possible. I'm am trying to convert some of my friends to make laundry detergent so the frugalness can be catchy. Hope everyone has a great day! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4695-back-dead.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4569-catch-up-blog.html Mon, 24 May 2010 15:40:35 GMT Time to get back on the blogging track, it seems that when I'm not blogging, my mind gets scattered and full of jumbled up chaos, but if I put into print, it seems a lot more organized. Not sure, but at least it sounds good.

This past weekend we had a yard sale, we only made like 100 bucks but it was money that will be put to our Williamsburg Trip this Memorial Day weekend, so anything is better than nothing at all. Now what to do with all the leftover yard sale items. This year we are donating everything to our local animal shelter thrift shop because it is the store we most frequent and we know it goes to a good causes. So that is the plan this week to unload everything over there after work. I'm going to cook light this week just because its easier and I don’t want to get too involved in the dinner process as this week will be busy, so tonight we're just going to have left over Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes. I made them yesterday, and the roast on the grill was delish. I had it marinating with EVOO, Salt, Black Pepper, Montreal Seasoning, Dried Onions, then put BBQ sauce over it, and let it sit a couple of hours then put that on the grill. OMG, it turned out so good, so that will make a good 2nd dinner, because the roast was enormous. We finally got our spouting finished outside, so now the only part to do is the very tip top of the eves of the house, which we will need scaffolding for that, but everything on the first floor is done as well as the garage and back part of the house. The patio is finally complete, and the small part in front of the garage is paved. Although the paver guy hasn't come for his money yet. Now he did this over a month ago, and I called him right after it was done and said I wanted him to come out, as there was a spot in the paved area that I wanted him to take a look at, as it had a small lil hole, and I wanted it sealed up, because the more it is left go and the more rain we get, it will probably start slowly wearing, and then I said when you come out, I'll give you the check for the job. He goes ok, and now almost a month and a half later, he still hasn't come back. I'm at a dilemma to either keep calling him or just let him realize, if he wants his money he'll come out. My coworkers chose the latter option. They said if he wants paid, he will come out, and not to pay him until he fixes what you want him to. Because if I do pay him he probably will just never come back. So at this point, it’s a waiting game I guess. I dunno, I just hate owing him anything but the fact is I want what I want fixed and that’s it, so yea, that’s that on one of my dilemas. Now onto this weekend, and a much needed getaway, I can't wait. So hope everyone has a great day… ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4569-catch-up-blog.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4488-oh-my-goodness.html Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:30:42 GMT Well almost 4 months later, I'm finally digging out for a little bit of play time. As you could tell by the date of my last post the ontake of the 2 other attorneys to my already 2 atty case load to = four has set me back a bit. My work has quadrupeled and the girls in our offsite office of Indiana are driving me absolutely batty!...Its like a retraining process all over again, and I'm about to poke my eyes out with a fork. It absolutely crazy and I wanna cry and scream at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, I am very very thankful that I still have a job, and a paycheck, and it has increased tremendously, but there has to be a happy medium that I haven't quite found yet. It would have been easier if the girls they hired in our offsite office to assist (as we are now a paperless office) would have had some type of legal experience, but I swear they are Wallmart Greeters on Crack.

On a different note, I was able to get a nice VIP bonus and nice Tax return which I still have at least 75% of that in the account so I'm very pleased about that, and I am able to get stuff done at the house. Our patio is like 4 pavers away from being completed, and this weekend we are going to plant grass seed and then I can get a Patio set. So its all baby steps but my goodness…I guess the days of my instant gratification have to fly out the door because between work and instant gratification and then having to postpone stuff at home because I'm too exhausted, the instant gratification there has had to sit on the back burner. But I'm a persistent lil bugger and I'll keep on chuggin along. ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4488-oh-my-goodness.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4230-gratitude-journal-12-14-09.html Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:55:48 GMT Well the day I was waiting for came, I was told that I will still have my job, thank god!!...There are 4 girls who are loosing their positions as of the beginning of the year. I must be doing something right to be one of the lucky ones chosen. Its going to be tons more work, but I think I... Well the day I was waiting for came, I was told that I will still have my job, thank god!!...There are 4 girls who are loosing their positions as of the beginning of the year. I must be doing something right to be one of the lucky ones chosen. Its going to be tons more work, but I think I will:yippee: be able to handle it... ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4230-gratitude-journal-12-14-09.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4229-11-days-till-christmas.html Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:14:39 GMT Whew…is all I can say. This weekend was filled with so much busyness I didn't know what to do, but I loved every minute of it. Friday I came home from work and finished up the laundry detergent, so that should hold us till the end of January/beginning of February, so that task is completed. Saturday we woke up, had a nice breakfast then headed out to the Thrift Stores. What was funny was I donated 3 bags and I purchased 3 bags, (some how it always happens that way). But anyways, I was able to get some cute jars for my gifts that I am making this year for the girls at work. I also found a nice artificial tree, that we want to put up in the middle upstairs room (its kind of a sitting room) and for $5.00 I wasn't going to pass it up, plus it was all in the box etc. So that will be put up next year because I didn't want to get out all the christmas decorations again since that was all finished over Thanksgiving. So I got some tupperware containers for the cookies that I baked, for $.47 I wasn't going to pass that up. Then we went to the Goodwill and got some more decorative jars, DP was able to find some jeans that were barely worn, so that was a plus on that one too. Then I hit up Hobby Lobby to get glycerine, extra jars, food coloring and celaphane wrapping paper to wrap up the gifts. Went home, started 2 dozen Chocolate chip cookies, prepped the batter for peanut butter cookies, put that in the fridge to chill, then stared Pork & Saurkraut in the oven. While that was cooking I made Rice Krispie Treats and Monkey Munch which turned out delish. Then prepped mash potatoes, and finally sat down for dinner. After dinne, finished up dishes, put the peanut butter cookies in the oven and I finally finished around 10ish..after doing tons of dishes and well I was pooped!

Sunday started out with Made from scratch pancakes for breakfast, applewood bacon and cocoa/coffee, then I stared Sandtarts, and Snickerdoodles, and cheating for dinner by ordering out Pizza. But this weekend we had so much fun and quality time with the kids it could never be taken away. I just love weekends like that where everyone is laughing, dogs eating leftover cookies and well nice weekend fun. This coming weekend is christmas shopping so I'll be a busy person again…hope everyone has a great week.!! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4229-11-days-till-christmas.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4204-christmas-soon-upon-us.html Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:20:11 GMT Christmas time is upon us….

This past weekend we finished decorating (i.e. hanging up the lights) on the garage, so that is now done. The rest of the house is all decorated, I'll upload pics soon. Saturday we went and ordered our new sofa, boy oh boy was I wishing for this one. Luckily the place we found the sofa at has free delivery and does layaway, so I put $100.00 down and told them I will pay 100.00 every two weeks and we will have it to start the new year. We then went to DP's christmas party at work which was nice and relaxing all together. As I look on the weeks ahead of us my mind is a flurry again because I have so much I need to accomplish. I decided to go with the bathsalts and homemade hand soap for christmas ideas for my daughters teacher and the girls at work. I got cute little gift bags at Hobby Lobby for .99 cents each so now, its just making everything, and this is what is planned for this weekeend. Not to mention I'm going to start baking after the bath salts are done. So hopefully that task will get finished. I have my daughters gifts pretty much done, I need to get her 2 more things. My son on the other hand he is a different story,I haven't really gotten too much for him yet, so that will also get done either by ordering online, or picking stuff up after work. The next weekend is a free pay weekend, as my pay only will go to utilities and the rest will be used for DP's christmas items. Ugh.., I look at the calendar and my mind starts spinning, I'm spreading the money from the savings account and the next two pays in my head, so everything works out as planned and I think all the thinking I've been doing, is making my head spin more. So I resorted to the list making, which keeps me organized but only for so long lol. Oh well, tis the season.


No word on the outcome of the jobs here, so they I guess are waiting to tell everyone at the begining of the year, who knows, but all I can do is hope for the best and keep my fingers crossed that I am one of the ones who stays. Out of 5 girls, 2 want to leave and the remaining 3 want their jobs, so why not pick the ones who want to leave right? Who knows at this point, but all I can do is take it day by day! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4204-christmas-soon-upon-us.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4120-getting-holiday-excitement-going.html 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/blogs/jestagrrrl/4120-getting-holiday-excitement-going.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4091-rainy-work-day-today.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:45:41 GMT Well another day at work, (thankful of course) and it is rainy and yukky outside today. DD has a parent teacher conference today, so I will be leaving work early, then taking both kiddies to dinner at this Amish Buffet, that I haven't been to in quite a few years, so hopefully the weather will lighten up a bit since I have tons of driving to do tonight.

Going through my stockpile freezer, I notice I do not have to get groceries tomorrow night, other than Milk and Bread, just because my kitchen is so full that I will have to be taking over the shelves in the basement for dry goods if I get any more. Which if I come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea, because that is where I have my canning jars full of jelly, tomatoes, etc. So that might be a task that I can do this weekend. I would although like to go to the farmer's market that is near our house, they will be closing soon, and I could get some fresh veggies to freeze, if I can find room.

Saturday night we're planning on taking the kids on a Ghost Tour in Gettysburg, they have been begging for months now, so this should be a good time. Sunday we're heading to moms for my dad's birthday. I'm baking the cake and she is taking care of the dinner so doing my "nice weather dance" to wish for sun on that day. I'll probably post again, just because I'm thinking the frugal thoughts again, and I want to get some supplies at the new craft store "Hobby Lobby that just opened up, not to mention Goodwill, because I was given some great ideas on the thread I started re" christmas ideas. I'm going to write those ideas down and see what I can find. I like the soap idea with a cute decorative wash cloth, and some bath salts… yay…love new ideas, keep them coming peeps!! Have a good day everyone! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4091-rainy-work-day-today.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4087-wine-mushroom-barley-soup-homemade-applesauce-oh-my.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:59:04 GMT Well another week under my belt, and yay for it being payday this past Friday. I was able to pay the mortgage, pay a credit card, purchase some tubs at Lowes for storage in the attic, and majorly stock up my freezer with meats. Giant was having some killer sales on fresh chicken, they... Well another week under my belt, and yay for it being payday this past Friday. I was able to pay the mortgage, pay a credit card, purchase some tubs at Lowes for storage in the attic, and majorly stock up my freezer with meats. Giant was having some killer sales on fresh chicken, they individually packaged their form of "Chicken Cordon Bleu" but when we went shopping on Thursday it was after 7:00 which they always mark down their meats, and well they had chicken for 1.92 a breast, so I got as many as I could and in the freezer they went. I also stocked up on items for my Mushroom Barley Soup that I saw on the FV website for meatless dinners, and it turned out great (nice Sunday dinner). Friday we went to Walmart, which we haven't been there in quite a while and I got some sale items that I couldn't resist.

Saturday we woke to going to Thrift Stores, the CVAS (Animal Shelter Thrift Shop) was having good deals, as well as Goodwill. I puchased an Eddie Bauer Winter coat barely used for $10.00; purchased a pair of Clark slip on dress shoes for $5.00; two scarfs for $2.00; two decorative pillos for $2.50 each as well as some books and cookbooks which I can't seem to get away from.
We then went to 2 wineries in Gettysburg, Heuser Winery and Adams Winery and it was well deserved. We splurged on 2 bottles of wine, and did a tasting for $2.00 per person, sampling 8 wines and ciders. It was such a beautiful day we couldn't pass anything up. Not to mention at the Adams County Winery we got some delicious Horseradish Cheddar Cheese and Veg crackers (8.99 and 3.50) :ponder:*shock* I know. As I was stuffing my face I kept thinking that if I came across that cheese in the store, no way would I have bought it for 8.99 but ok, sometimes you gotta say…just this once. We also then ended the day by going the Round House Barn, this old barn which has been turned in to a farmers market carrying their own orchard apples. I purchased a peck of Nuttany Apples for Sunday when I made homemade applesauce and froze it in containers. The Mushroom Barley Soup was delicious, next time I'm going to lighten up on the barley, I think I added to much and well yea on that one. But this weekend was great, I can hardly wait to see what the next weekend brings!!! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4087-wine-mushroom-barley-soup-homemade-applesauce-oh-my.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4048-goodness-its-been-while.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:10:20 GMT Yep, time is just flying by and it's so weird that in a couple of weeks it will be Thanksgiving. Things have been very busy my way..with tons of things going on between working, weekend projects its very easy to get wrapped up in things.
Plus things at work are kinda on the weird path. They decided to streamline a lot of girls in our office, meaning getting rid of a bunch of positions, all while keeping the same amount of attorneys 10 in our office. They have givin our two paralegals their marching papers and told them as of January they will no longer have a job, unless they want to move to Indiana to be in our remote office. Well that wasn't even an option for the two girls, one who has 25 plus years at this company, so she was told that if she wants her severence she has to stay till the end (i.e. sometime in January) they haven't let her know the date, so she is more or less stuck, because she would get like 6 months severance. The other girl is only here less time than me and would get maybe 6 weeks severance, so she is looking for another job. Yay Holidays. Our secretary staff of 5 girls is now being cut down to 3 girls we believe, and I have been pretty much told that I am one of the ones they are keeping, which is fine by me. I would prefer to leave on my own if I find out the work is going to be too hectic, then opposed to being told you are only gonna be here till January. I would only get 6 weeks severence, I would still be able to collect unemployment, but me being me, that is not my way of survival. I do my job well and everyone knows it, not to mention I work for the one attorney who is 2nd in command. So I was told over and over again, on a hush hush basis that I am one of the girls they are keeping and to stop worrying and getting my self all worked but, but that is how I tick, I am a planner, and I hate not knowing. So they state they will tell us in the next 3 weeks, my guess is right before Thanksgiving. So what is even funnier is about 3 weeks ago I was given this Bravo Award, the 2nd award I rec'd in my 2 1/2 years here, which inturn came with a large monetary gift that I got to choose out of like 20 gifts. I chose a Sony Camcorder valued at approximately $550.00. So that’s whats funny, I told my boss, oh ya give me an award then you're gonna ax me and she again said Traci, omg, stop, your not going anywhere. My feelings on this are, I will believe it when I hear it officially. Its just sad because I know of the girls here desperately needs her job, like most of us. There are a few that have husbands who definatley can support them on their own and not have to worry about a 2nd income. Me on the other hand, I use to not have to worry about a second income because when I was married, I was the "stay at home mom" given a credit card and told to not worry about anything. Boy have times changed since 2001. I now need to work, to keep everything under control.

My stature has defiantely changed from last year at this time. I feel that I have grown in so many ways from when I first stumbled upon this website. I now am in a much better situation moneywise, I now a full fledge frugal-lite lol. I budget, I make my own laundry detergent, I buy and stock up items for a rainy day. I no longer have any pay day loans to my name (that was the biggest hurdle) and I am at a position in my job where I am making a nice salary and have money left over for little adventures, a savings account and have much breathing room. I just pray and pray that I am one of the ones that is safe and that I will still have a job, so I can stay on this path with my head way above water and my pond will just be there for looks and not to drown in.

This post was way way on the rambling path, but it has been bugging me for at least a month. I look around at the girls who are leaving this firm and I see they are not stressing, so in a way, I keep telling myself, things will be fine, but I guess I just need to get over this hurdle… to see for myself!. ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/4048-goodness-its-been-while.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/3840-well-i-survived.html Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:26:10 GMT Yep, the tent camping trip wasn't all that bad anyways. Last Saturday was a bit rainy driving down, but once we reached NJ it became a light mist which eventually stopped. Yay. So we took tons of pictures, we managed to stay on our budget, I took out 160.00 from the savings account and had 50 from last week saved up, so our cash money was enough and the only thing we put on the card was our dinner at Menz's which was $60.94. I'm so proud of ourselves, the way this budget is working, (which entails me and my trusty pen and lil notebook) writing every expense down, so we know how much money we actually spent. I calculated that with the tent gear, and everythign we needed (which we wont have to purchase again for our next excursion), our expenses totaled approximately $150.00 with the tent, mattress, stakes, etc. So I would say that was a very frugal trip. I'm looking forward to where we will go next considering the possibilities are endless right now. I mean we will do this next year because my vacation time is limited, but little weekend trips would defiantely be a go that’s for sure.

I've been managing to keep the food budget to a minimum, since we purchased a lot of staple items last week, my grocery bill at Aldis was $36.00, then we went to Giant ant my bill was 40.00, but we needed dog food, which was $11.49 and I stocked up on frozen vegetables for .99/bag. So I didn't think it was that bad, considering a lot of the stuff will be kept in the freezer and I wont have to worry about that next week when I do my shopping list.

This weekend we are planning to take the kids to this place in Carlisle, its called Market at Washingtonburg which we went to last year and its fun, they people are dressed up in old attire/indian/etc they have camp set up like it would have been during that time period plus there are some vendors selling homemade soap, etc, not to mention its free so I'm looking forward to doing that, plus probably going to hit some farm stands to get some tomatoes and cucumbers so I can make my homemade salsa.

I uploaded some pictures of our trip, so go have a look. Hope everyone has a great weekend.! ]]> jestagrrrl http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/jestagrrrl/3840-well-i-survived.html