The Prodigal Cheapskate Returns

Ok, so it has been a very very long time since I have blogged and now with the lovely invention of wireless routers it is a lot easier for me to do! So I'm back and hopefully for good. If you were a reader before, thanks for sticking around. If you are new, welcome!

My latest frugal craze has to do with dish sponges. I hate how they get smelly so quickly, so I just ditched them for a washcloth cut in half. Works just as good, I can wash it in the machine and disinfect it, and I can switch it out as often as I like and not have to hear the money going down the drain. Yay for saving pennies every day!

Cleaning the Microwave

I noticed today that I have been neglecting my microwave, so I attacked it!

Take a rag soaked with water and place in microwave. Cook on HIGH for 2 minutes, intermittently checking to make sure it hasn't dried out. After 2 minutes, the steam should have loosened the food particles and make cleaning a whole lot easier!

Check-Your-Rate Day

Take some time today to see if you can lower any of your bills:

Electric - what are you being charged per kwh?

Cell phone and home phone - are you using all of those features?

Auto insurance - do you need to raise your deductible? Do you have enough in savings to self-insure?

Credit cards - should you do a balance transfer for a lower APR?

Also check on internet service, water usage, gas and oil usage, etc. If you can't lower the bill by changing terms or companies, see what you can do to lower it on your end.

Tuning into Reality: A Look at TV Families

Yesterday while surfing the net I came across a story about a well-known TV family who had purchased a reported $1 million home for their brood. Having watched this family for a few years, noting their tips for living on a budget, I felt somewhat cheated. This whole time I thought they were "just getting by". But who am I to look down on people doing good for themselves right? Well, I felt like the image that this TV network portrayed was one of an average American family just trying to make ends meet. And here they were, living in an estate! I just couldn't shake it, knowing that all this time I felt inadequate thinking "well if they can manage to feed that whole family for $xx.xx and healthy, why can't I do it for two?" Then, it hit me. DUH! It's TV! It is not "reality"! These people are paid to do a program so that in itself makes them different from the average family.

There are other TV families that many Americans have become enthralled with. We watch their shows, follow their stories, and learn from their experiences. But we have to remember that it is just TV: no two families or situations are the same. Frugality for some of the nation has become the new fad, but television is a tricky business where not everything is as it seems.

For Today..January 26, 2009

Outside my window...the sun is shining and the air is warm, but give it a few days and it will be freezing again

I am thinking...about how I would like to cook dinner tonight

I am thankful for...my husband and how each day I can't wait for the next

From the kitchen...dishes that never seem to end!

I am wearing...jeans and a t-shirt and my favorite Reef flip flops

I am creating...a baby blanket for my niece who will be born any day now! MUST KNIT FASTER!

I am going...to use my free Redbox code tonight to rent a movie

I am reading...I Love a Cop as part of the "spouse requirement"

I am hoping...that we have a successful garage sale next weekend

I am hearing...Gilmore Girls in the living room!

Around the house...the cats are napping way too much, they should get jobs, and the curtains are blowing!

One of my favorite things...our new fuel efficient car!

A few plans for the rest of the week... census bureau numerator test, birthdays, garage sale, super bowl!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

My beautiful sister Athena

Anatomy of our Pantry

When we first stepped into the house that we currently own, we were overwhelmed at how perfect is was for us. It was cute and quaint and big enough to start a family. It wasn't until we were given the keys that we realized it had NO PANTRY SPACE! What were we to do?

Our dining room was formerly a 4th bedroom, so now it contains some oddly placed elements like a second light fixture, a window at the end of the wall, and a closet. We turned this closet into a pantry so we could store all of the food in one place and not sacrifice cabinets. We built shelves out of 3/4" plywood with supports. The closet is deep enough that we can fit practically anything in there.






I keep sugar, flour, and other large quantity staples in food-safe storage buckets. This allows for easy scooping into my smaller countertop jars. I also keep grain products such as rice and pasta stored in bins to keep them away from pesky weevils.




A shoe organizer hangs on the inside of the door for smaller items like gravy mix, puddings, snacks, and oatmeal packets. This makes it easy to see and I don't have piles on the shelves. I found this organizer at the Goodwill Oulet for 99 cents.





All of the canned goods are separated, with the first expiring towards the front.




I try to put most things in glass jars to keep away from pantry bugs. I SAVE ALL GLASS JARS from food because 1) they can't be recycled here and 2) they are effective and look pretty! I label the jars with name and expiration date, usually on the bottom.

So there is a peek into my pantry. I find that the more space I have to move things around, the less I forget about the items left in the back. Our pantry is quite sparse during these tough times for us, but we have enough staples and there are always new meals to be invented!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, January 19, 2009

Outside my window...the chill in the air is pleasant but I know it will be gone tomorrow morning when it hits 80 degrees

I am thinking...that tomorrow is a very busy day and I hope I can hold up

I am thankful for...meeting someone today who knows Dave Ramsey, it gave me hope

From the learning rooms...hubby is learning the Texas penal code, and by default so am I

From the kitchen...came a batch of pumpkin muffins and strawberry cupcakes for my meeting with the police chaplain tomorrow

I am wearing...a shirt that says duct tape won't fix the world; a lot of people don't get it, go figure

I am creating...a nursery for wishful thinking

I am going...to be very tired in the morning and will need coffee

I am reading...nothing right now; my goal is to pick out a new book tonight

I am hoping...that will power can work wonders

I am hearing...the sound of my I Love Lucy clock ticking away, drives me nuts

Around the house...its dead quiet because the kittens have knocked out finally

One of my favorite things...my new waffle maker we got for Christmas; I make a bunch and freeze them

A few plans for the rest of the week...inauguration!!!; meeting the police chaplain; having a garage sale

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
This is a baby shower cake I made for a friend last week. Its supposed to be a Care Bear....yea right