Archive for cheerful frugality
Senior Citizen Discount
“Happy Birthday, Mom! Now you’re eligible for the Senior Citizen Discount!” These words of greeting made me chuckle. Youngest Son knows his frugal mother well! The Senior Citizen discount has been a topic of conversation in our house from time to time. Last year, Husband took on this eligibility, although not with the same enthusiasm [...]
Temptations in the Frugal Life
Opening window and basking in cool breezes, eyes taking in sun shadows highlighting bedroom walls, temptation came. Not prepared for such thoughts, I had been reveling in the unusually cool South Texas spring day. Without invitation, discontent seeped into my soul. Early morning light previously enjoyed, now seemed to accentuate all that needed to be [...]
Ordinary Days
Taking out my fancy glasses (the Dollar Store sells some lovely ones), and setting them upon the table, I realized how much I enjoy ordinary days. Nothing special is happening, but I find it fun from time to time to serve our beverages in elegant style! Holidays and celebrations certainly have their place, but give [...]
An Old Fashioned Pounding
Sitting next to Firstborn Son and New Daughter, my heart was full. Surrounded by the smiling faces of our church body with our newlyweds close by, Husband and I were so grateful for this special evening. An old fashioned Pounding was being given by our church friends, Texas style! Many, having not been able to [...]
Frugal Baby Gifts
My family has celebrated the births of 5 babies this month–and Frugal Hacks’ own Kim C. may well add #6 to my list! Naturally, I’ve been busy thinking of meaningful baby gifts that don’t break the bank. Once Mom acquires the basic baby supplies, she may welcome time and effort more than another blanket. Here are a few ideas that [...]
Living In My Own Skin
Thoughts were racing as I tidied up my family room. Smiling, as I surveyed the décor, which I call “Early Miscellaneous” with a country bent, I realized I was “living in my own skin.” A grateful heart took notice of the contents of the room. Loveseat and coffee table had belonged to Husband’s family. Second [...]
Create A Free Website With Google Tools
Y’all, I have fallen in love with Google’s free publishing tools. First I tried Google Docs for creating and managing spreadsheets, most notably for our family’s hand-me-down clothing inventory. We’ve coordinated group sign-up schedules and co-written an event shopping list with incredible ease. Then a local web designer turned me on to Google Sites. It’s [...]
The Love Language of Gifts
A while back my husband and I had an interesting discussion with another couple about gift giving. Her husband had grown up as a missionary child in an African country. Poverty was something he saw every day. She had grown up in North America, her parents were older when she was born, and they went [...]
Frugal Alternatives
We were gathered around the computer enjoying the sights and sounds of a video tour series. Husband commented that this was his “frugal alternative” to the real thing. A man who loves to travel (he is already salivating thinking about our soon to be 30 hour drive back to the east coast) and a once [...]
Does Water Conservation Save You Money?
I vowed that I’d never give up long soaks in the tub. Then my city flooded. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink! With one water treatment plant ruined and the other dangerously low in reserve, Nashvilians have been asked to cut normal water consumption by half. After all, greasy hair is a [...]
Hungry Planet: What The World Eats
We’re piled on my bed to study the pages of Hungry Planet: What The World Eats. You’ve probably heard about this book and its beautiful photos, which document food from 25 families in 21 countries. It’s both eye-pleasing and eye-opening. Each family displays one weeks’ worth of food, from raw ingredients to KFC. My kids enjoyed spotting familiar products [...]
Punch and Cake Reception For About $100
Here in the South, receptions and showers often feature a simple menu of punch and cake. While this may not be socially acceptable in some parts of the country, count yourself lucky if it is! I helped a friend host such a reception for 100+ people. Here’s how the budget worked out, in real numbers: 3 Costco sheet cakes for $51, with 48 [...]
Frugal Spring Garden Report
Last year our 3 raised beds grew so much food, we grew confidence in our ability, too. Right now I’m digging new beds in the 4 corners of the yard. I’ll plant climbing roses, blackberry and raspberry canes against the low trellises that fence the roving toddler. (I need all the prickly barrier I can [...]
Birthdays + Big Ticket Expenses = Big Birthdays
We’re not big spenders, but we do (sometimes) have big ticket birthdays. I’m all for keeping the celebrations simple and gifts, within reason. However, if we have a major expense coming up–plus a birthday impending–we try our best to combine the two. Thus money from the “household maintenance” envelope helps us keep more in the [...]
Unclogging Drains With Help From the Pros
After two husband-installed toilets and a desperate call to Roto-Rooter, I’ve abandoned emergency plans for a frugal outhouse. I kid! Although I do live in the hills of Tennessee…and those self-composting models are pretty cool… My son has a long history of using more than his share of toilet paper. We’re no strangers to the cable auger. And yet this latest [...]
