Archive for Out of the Box Frugality
Frugal and Creative Christmas (or other) Gifts
For children- the best way to reduce your children’s expectations and cases of the ‘gimmes’ is to turn off the television, or at least the commercials, and take them to the library or the park instead of the mall or toy shop. If they don’t know what’s out there, they can’t yirn for it (yes, [...]
Overload, Chaos, and Organizing My Pantry
I started out to write an altogether more philosophical sort of post, but I couldn’t get it done the way I wanted to in the time frame I gave myself, so I’m working on that for next week. I sort of introduced my topic over on my other blog- you can click through here to [...]
Look in Somebody Else’s Flower Box
OK, maybe I lied. Maybe I do have a few frugal ideas left. Kim lets me hang around in case I get inspired. Today I’m inspired… and it happens to be Wednesday so I thought I’d post.
I have a purple thumb, but I’m persistent. I have killed two of just about every plant I’ve ever [...]
Packing Boxes and Closing Shop
When it comes to frugality, I’ve never been a number cruncher. Budget people with spreadsheets that detail every expenditure to the penny make my head spin. Folks who play the CVS game leave me in awe. I know my talents. Understanding and making ECBs dance are not among them. I’m an idea girl and a Providence seeker.
My frugal philosophy has always [...]
Out of the Box Uses
You know how Real Simple magazine has all kinds of nifty new uses for old and faithful stuff? As the frugal mavens that I know you all are, I’m curious to know how YOU use old things in new places to save money.
Some of my favorite ideas are using orphaned stemware for vases, candle holders and displaying little things [...]
Warm Weather Fun
It’s about that time again. School is almost out, summer is just around the corner and your kids are soon to start using the “b” word: bored. Phooey on them. Life can be so much fun if you have the right attitude. With just a little prompting, there are lots of frugally fun things to do.
I’ve already shared [...]
Peeking in the Clothing Box
I’ve been to at least six different places (from Goodwill to Payless to Dexter) looking for summer sandals. Because my tailbone injury won’t tolerate some styles and my feet are shoebox width, I was hoping that shopping early would get me something wearable. Silly me. At present, I’m 0-7 with no sandals on the horizon. (I’m hesitant [...]
I missed that box!
This is bad. It’s noon here in New England and I just realized it’s Wednesday. You’d think preparing for a 7:15am meeting with the speaker for next month’s brunch would have helped me notice the day. uuum, no. I suppose it would have been much worse to crawl in bed at 9pm or so tonight and realize I had [...]
What Can I Bring? – Out of the Box Hospitality
Now that I’ve identified and overcome my hang ups about entertaining, (check the comments) we’ve been having lots of fun with dinner guests!
When we invite folks over, the first thing out of their mouths after they agree to come is, “What can we bring?” I used to answer, “Nothing, just come!” only to be met with guilt [...]
Unboxing Munchkin Education
I didn’t miss the fact that it’s April and everyone is wishing that school was out yesterday. But frugal thinking, like education, knows no seasons. Besides, all on the ball homeschooling moms (and that wouldn’t be me) will be looking for next year’s curriculum in a few weeks and will be able to offer lots of [...]
Unboxing Adult Education
Education is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
Call me goofy if you want, but I think education is a frugal thing. I warned you that I think outside the box… What could be more [...]
Unboxing the Kids
Sitting at the dinner table Friday night, Stretch (our oldest who is now growing inches overnight) says that he has found the newest and latest way to save money. Really? “Teach kids to swallow pills. Tablets and capsules are less expensive than liquids and they taste better too.” You know, I’ve heard of some interesting money [...]
Unloading the Boxes
I love winter. Honestly, I do. I love the crispness, the snow and how gorgeous it looks even if I’m not a big fan of the cold. It’s snowing right now. I’m really sad that tomorrow is the first day of spring. Call me crazy if it makes you feel better…
Because the munchkins and [...]
Out of the Box Spaces
With Amy talking about spring cleaning and organizing, I thought I would add some out of the box thoughts to help you want to pitch and clean even more.
My husband, Rich, and I are a great frugal pair. He plays with numbers on the calculator and in Excel spreadsheets, while Googling or letting [...]
Getting Food Out of the Box
Although I’d rather be sewing or playing piano, my non-wife.homeschooling.mother ”official” profession (that I retired from in the late 90s) is in the health industry. I’ve spent years studying nutrition, herbs and other holistic modalities that don’t conflict with my Christian beliefs. I’ve really enjoyed helping others get well. Health research still fascinates me.
In an ideal world, we [...]
