Category: penny pincher

Posted on

Our pool

Well last year we put in a new pool. The kids and I really wanted one and to be honest it wasn’t that expensive or difficult to do. i had to learn how to clean the pool and find a place to buy my pool supplies without killing my pocketbook. That part was actually easiest but the cleaning the pool after the kids constantly jumping in with dirty feet and such, was a pain. I need to come up with a new plan for keeping the grass and such out of the pool. The kids love to run around the yard chasing each other and jump back in without cleaning their feet.

I looked around at pool filters before I bought one because I knew this would be a problem with the kids. I have jokingly told the kids that I would build a moat around the pool for their dirty feet and they thought it was a good idea. I had to smile at that, because they actually thought I was serious.

Posted on

Returns and Exchanges

The day after Christmas for retailers is almost as busy and crazy as Black Friday. Shoppers come out in droves to exchange gifts that don’t fit or they don’t like, return items they got two of, snatch up clearance items to stash in the garage until next year, and to spend the Christmas cash and gift cards they received.

I was not going to go shopping and deal with all that craziness today, but I decided to try my luck at just one store – Target. If Target had anything left and put it on clearance, it was probably going to be a good buy. So I went to Target and walked around a very busy store. But everything that I was interested in was already picked over or gone. So I left empty handed.

Posted on

Super Size and Get a Free Glass

It has been months since I went to a McDonald’s, so I was pleasantly surprised today when I went to their drive through and found a special promotion underway. If you super size your value meal you get a free Coca Cola glass with your order. It is only while supplies last, so I doubt I will get a full set of the free glasses. But I got two glasses today and might go back one day next week to get two more. But that is all the McDonald’s I can take, with visits so close together. The glasses are not and nostalgic. I remember ordering a cherry coke at the drug store soda fountain when I was a kid and the coke came in a glass that was shaped like these.

Posted on

Fabric Softener

With all the modern chemicals at my disposal in the the laundry room, it is amazing we have not had a lot of scientific studies talking about the long term effects of exposure to all the things we spray, pour and toss. Surely all of these chemicals cannot be good for us?

My latest experiment involves fabric softener. I’ve been using dryer sheets for over 10 years and they have done a good job of making the clothes less wrinkled and smelling fresh when they come out of the dryer. But lately I’ve noticed that there seems to be a lot of suds residue in the washer and on the clothes. So I am trying a liquid fabric softener that pours into the washer on the last rinse cycle. I only use about one fourth of the recommended amount. So far, this does a great job, it pulls more soap out of the clothes, and they smell just as nice when they are finished drying.

Posted on

Free Cell Phones

There have been a lot of commercials on TV promoting two companies who claim to offer free cell phones and free minutes each month to people who are disadvantaged. I can’t help wonder who is actually paying the bill for all these people to get free cell phones. Its not like they are a necessity – a cell phone is a luxury.

Why am I paying over $50 a month after all the fees and taxes for a phone when all these other people get their phones free? Is the Government spending my tax money to give all these people phones? I want a free phone, too!

Posted on

Hobo Jack

Recently I discovered a cool show on the History Channel about these two guys who call themselves “pickers.” They drive around in a van and pick through people’s junk, they buy what they like and then re-sell it.

Today they met up with a guy called “Hobo Jack” who had some sheds with all kinds of stuff. I couldn’t believe all the stuff that was dusty, rusty and mildewed. If he had just taken care of some of that stuff, it would be extremely valuable. But he let it all rot and deteriorate and was hardly worth anything.

Posted on

Kroger Digital Coupons

Today I got an email from Kroger grocery stores. It is part of their frequent shopper club program. When you get a key card from Kroger, you sign up with your email address and street address. Then they follow up with coupons that they mail to your house and to your inbox.

It is always nice to save money and I have taken advantage of several of their offers already. Thanks, Kroger!

Posted on

I need more room

Our home is rather cluttered and there’s a lot of things I just don’t want to do away with or put in an expensive storage facility.  I think I’ll check into how much it will cost for one of those steel buildings to put behind my house.  They’re a lot better than those wooden ones that can rot and fall apart and will protect our possessions much better from the elements and critters too.

Posted on

I think I’ll start in the childrens rooms

After I got everything put away and taken out that isn’t needed anymore, I have realized just how bad we need new children’s furniture. These were hand me downs and they have seen better days.  I love the new styles they have and I know the kids will love them too.  I can’t wait to let them pick out what they want.

Posted on

Are you a penny pincher?

Just about everyone I know is pinching as much out of their money as they possibly can. You have to especially when you have children. My children are really into the Discovery Channel on TV and they do have a lot of great things for kids. I found Discovery Store discount coupons online.

With school starting back, each of my children needed shoes.  That can be expensive but would you believe that I also found Footlocker discount coupons too?  I was so proud of myself when I found them.  I saved almost enough money to buy at least one of my kids school supplies.  How’s that for pinching pennies?