Category Archives: Frugal Living

The Twins

I’ve been haunting craigslist for a china hutch for the dining room. Nothing seemed quite right until I saw a matching pair. I called immediately and found out that the price I thought was “each” was for “both!” But also that they had sold just a few minutes before. Bummer. I mentioned the bummer a [...]
Also posted in Decorating, Make Ahead Breakfasts | 8 Comments

More Paint

I’ve been shopping my house for things to use in the rooms I am remodeling first.  Here’s a $5 garage sale mirror that used to be gold.  I spray painted it dark brown with black flecks for my sewing room in my old house. The brown doesn’t look good in any room in our new house.  The [...]
Posted in Frugal Living | 2 Comments

About Presentation

When we’re going frugal with food, simple presentation can make a few cents look like a hundred bucks.  My father-in-law taught me this trick for serving organges.  It’s fast,  looks awesome and is easy to eat too.  Here they are paird with Monday’s Grocery Shrink Plus breakfast:  Toad in the Hole. To make it, slide [...]
Posted in Frugal Living | 1 Comment

Only 2 Days Left–Plus Bonus!

I’m working feverishly on finishing the complete menu plan for Grocery Shrink Plus.  It mails out Friday and it is fantastic!    I know there are a few of you who want to join our group of action takers, but also want to make certain it’s good stewardship too.  For you, I’ve attached a sample day’s [...]
Posted in Frugal Living | 8 Comments

Announcing Grocery Shrink Plus!

I am excited to announce a brand new service! Grocery Shrink Plus Have you liked reading my menu ideas for the week in my newsletter, but been frustrated that there are no recipes to go with them? When you subscribe to Grocery Shrink Plus, you will be emailed an expanded menu including breakfast, lunch, dinner, [...]
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March Menu Printable

Thanks to everyone who took part in the survey already. Your suggestions have helped me a ton! It’s not too late to take the survey–you can do that here. Here’s a free printable for you to plan your March menu. Click here to download the pdf.  
Posted in Frugal Living | 2 Comments

Just a little spraypaint…

I’m having a great time at the new house.  The previous owners left quite a bit of stuff.  I’ve been cleaning up some of it and selling it on craigslist to help pay for the renovations.  Some of it is just trash, like the original bath rug with the backing that turned to dust.  And [...]
Also posted in Decorating | 2 Comments

New Food Budget Recommendations

Did you know that when the government calculates the rate of inflation commodities like food and gasoline aren’t included?  According to this site inflation rates for 2011 were 3%.  My food and gasoline went up a lot higher than that.  Take the lowly graham cracker for example.  When I first wrote the Grocery Shrink ebook, I was able [...]
Posted in Frugal Living | 27 Comments

Free Printable Menu for February 2012

It’s that time again.  Time to plan your supper’s so you don’t have to think about it the rest of the month.  To make it easier for you, here’s a cute little printable menu. Click on the picture below to download a printable pdf.
Posted in Frugal Living | 2 Comments

Guestpost: The Pros and Cons of Layaway

Stacey Makes Cents is back today to talk with us about layaway.  (Hey–I’m a poet .   By now you should know that Barry and I are NOT fans of credit cards. If we don’t have the money for something, we don’t buy it. For some people, this is a problem at Christmas time. I [...]
Also posted in Christmas | 9 Comments