Garage Sale Finds

I've never been a huge fan of garage sales. Well until recently. I've now become a bit garage sale obsessed. I've found some really awesome things lately and saved myself lots of money! So I thought I'd start sharing my finds with you. This weekend I hit the mother load of garage sales! I'm usually on the hunt for photo props or stuff for Hulk. I hit the jackpot this weekend.

At one garage sale I found the apple basket, vintage radio flyer trike, and the 10 gallon milk jug for $40! The trike and the milk jug are individually worth at least $40. They will make such great photo props! And then I found Hulk a kid lawn mower for $1. That is the best $1 I've spent in awhile. He loves that thing!

So for $41.00 I made out like a bandit!

We Did It

I'm thrilled to announce that we did it! We actually made it to get Hulk's hair cut before our coupon expired! This mama loves a good deal and a good deal it was. Hulk got his haircut for $4.99. Not only did he get his hair cut but he also got a cool lightening bolt shaved into the side of his hair and he got two suckers! What a steal!

I spent a good part of the day working. Had lots of Valentine Portrait Sessions today. But tomorrow we are heading to the city to see Heather and take Hulk to do something fun. Family days make me very happy! I'm sure I'll have lots of pics to share tomorrow evening or Monday.

Have a super weekend!

Really?

I'm all for saving a buck or two. In fact I'm getting pretty creative in my frugality. And I like that. It's a quality I actually admire in people. Show me how to save some money and you can become my best friend. (Actually that's not true, I love my Darbis to much to get a new best friend). So show me a way to save some money and you can be a good friend! That's better.

So while I love saving money there are some areas I draw the line at. There are some situations that I'm just willing to spend a little more money. One of those situations would be my method of transportation. I gave up the big SUV long ago for something more practical. But today I saw a man driving a golf cart down one of the busier streets in our town. In the golf cart were his two children. Granted he had them in car seats but it just bothered me. I know this man and know that he is doing this to save money but really your children in a golf cart on a busy street just doesn't seem worth it. So I won't be hauling the kidlet around in a golf cart anytime soon.

I also won't be buying generic toilet paper or generic dishwasher tablets. And I for sure won't be buying my underwear at a garage sale. Those are a few of the other things I just can't do. I'll spend a little extra for soft toilet paper, good dishwasher soap, and panties no one else has worn. Call me crazy but a girl has to splurge every now and then.

Sharing

I'm a big believer in sharing. In fact I think it is my obligation to share if I find something really cool. And find something cool I did! Not only cool but free! Double the fun! So click right here to get a free 8x10 canvas print of your favorite picture. It's so easy! You just upload your picture, select the size you want if it's different then the 8x10 and place your order. There is a shipping fee but I didn't think it was unreasonably high. So take advantage of the savings to get your favorite pic turned into a piece of art.

Clickin Mama

Perspective

Well I think we have established that a lot of things are going very wrong for me right now. I would call this a dark time. I think we all have them at some point. You know you have had them too. And I've spent the last few days just trying to come to accept that things are tough and are going to be that way for awhile. There are some things I can do to improve the situation and I'm doing those things. But some of it can only be corrected with time. So I'm trying to accept the darkness while I wait. Think of all the character building this time period will create!

So while I wait in the dark I'm trying to focus on some of the light. I'm hoping that if I change my perspective things won't seem so grim. So while those things going wrong mingle and annoy me in the background my focus is now going to be on those good things. I'm going to just try to find the positive side to the down swing. And I've done some pondering and come up with this.

*** Being so broke has taught me more about stretching a dollar or a quarter or a penny. I have figured out ways to save money I never would have before. It's taught me how to reuse things creatively and never waste a thing. It's also forced me to find some really fun things for The Hulk and I to do together that are FREE! We have found wonderful parks, walking trails, art events, etc that are fun and free. So not all bad.

*** I've learned how to use the items I have in a way to maximize their potential. For example since the dryer is broken I now use my photography backdrop stand as an indoor clothes line! Who would have thought that pricey piece of equipment could be used in such a way. Thinking outside the box is GREAT!

*** Being told that I have nerve damage and could lose my feet someday doesn't have to be a downer! There are several upsides here. Either one I work hard with my doctor to find the right medication and diet to help me and I lose weight and look hot and I'm healthy. That's cool. And if that doesn't work they cut of my feet someday and I get to hop a lot and save money on shoes! I'm all about a bargain!

*** The IRS wants money from me. WHO CARES! Seriously my Dad always said that people can't take things you don't have. So why am I crying over IRS crap. They can't get money I don't have. Get in line folks and I'll just let you have my tax returns for the next couple years.

See things aren't bad! It's all about perspective. I see the light and I'm walking towards it. Let's all just hope it's not the train.

Clickin Mama

Questions and Answers

I've been telling you all forever that I was working on a Q and A post from your emails and comments. And I have been working on it however I didn't tell you I was working very slowly. It's been in draft for weeks but I think I have crammed enough questions into one post so here you go. Of course if you have other questions for me leave them in the comments or email me and I'll answer them slowly but I will.

Did you try adoptive nursing with The Hulk or only do bottle feeding?

The Hulk was completely bottle fed and that worked for us. I really wanted to try adoptive nursing and maybe in the future I will. But The Hulk' adoption came as such a surprise that I didn't' really have enough notice to start on the necessary medication. Maybe I'll have this opportunity with adoption number 2.

You don't talk about your parents much, are they involved in your life?

My mom died September 2, 2006. Prior to that she was very involved in my life. I have a whole section of my blog labeled mom that talks about her or my issues surrounding her death. You can also visit my old blog
Hunna's Happenings for more about my mama.

My dad and step mom don't live close by so we don't get to see them often. We do talk on the phone regularly and visit when we can. I wish they lived closer (hint hint) but right now that just isn't an option.

Who helps you with The Hulk since he doesn't have a dad?

I'm lucky to have the people in my life that I do. My best friend Darby and her wonderful husband Chris are my biggest supporters locally. They are the ones that help with The Hulk the most. They keep him when I have to travel and help me out a lot when I'm in a bind with daycare or just life. They are his God Parents and I wouldn't have it any other way! If I can't be with The Hulk I prefer that he is with them or my sister.

My sister Heather is also a big help with The Hulk. Though she lives out of town she comes home a couple times a month to visit and hang out. She is a great help and a huge support! The Hulk adores Aunt Heather and she is so much fun to have around.

What do you feed The Hulk for snacks?

I honestly treat The Hulk' snack time like I do mealtimes. I try to avoid giving him packaged "snack type foods". We do lots of fruit, veggies, and beans. He loves my snack mix that I make using dried fruit and fiber one cereal. When we are out and about and it's time for a snack I try to have dried fruit with us. He does love cheese crackers and goldfish so he gets those from time to time. He also loves graham crackers so sometimes I let him have those with a little bit of apple butter on them. Delicious!

Did you get your financial situation straightened out?

Ugh yes and no. I'm out of serious danger right now but I'm not comfortable at all with our financial situation. I don't like debt, I don't like not having enough in savings, I don't like not knowing where the money is coming from and when. So I'm not comfortable right now. But I have a plan. I have a huge garage sale coming up. I also have some big items to sell on Craigslist or Ebay and I have a couple big photo sessions coming up. I'm also trying to get some different plan arranged in regards to my student loans. Right now one whole paycheck a month is going towards student loans that that just isn't working... So hopefully that will help me to feel a little more comfortable. However, winning the lottery sounds great too!

So that's what I've got answered so far. I of course have more to answer but I will conquer those another day.

Clickin Mama

The Big Purge

I am not sure what exactly pushed me over the edge. It could have been stepping on a little person toy, or maybe it was the toy semi truck that left a nice gash in my foot. But looking back it may have been when I tried to close the hall closet door and it wouldn't shut that I started teetering on the edge. But this morning when I opened The Hulk' closet and had to cram his clean clothes in I fell of the edge! I just wanted to scream! This house was and still is too full!

So begins the great big purge! The toys have been sorted and several bags removed. Both The Hulk and I have only clothes that fit hanging in our closets and filling our dresser drawers. I took 5 HUGE Rubbermaid tubs of clothes to the shop for the next garage sale. After The Hulk went to bed I actually tried on every piece of clothing I own. If it didn't fit properly or if I don't love it goodbye it went! And that hall closet door not only shuts there are now two shelves in it with NOTHING on them!!! Praise Jesus my house is getting bigger.

We are going to have one heck of a garage sale in the fall. Until then I'm going to keep purging. And no more buying! Nothing but necessities are coming into this house for the next three months. That is the goal! The amount of "stuff" we have is absurd and it's going to stop. I'm not living like this anymore. I'm sick of being a slave to all this material crap!

Clickin Mama

Dinner Creation

I kind of created another dinner recipe tonight and it was rather tasty. The Hulk and I both give it two thumbs up. So since we are generous we will share it with you all.

1 lb hamburger
1 white onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
3 T. minced garlic
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can corn drained
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1 can tomato sauce
2 cups brown rice

Brown the hamburger with the garlic, onion and green pepper, drain. Put it back on the stove on med/high heat and add the corn, taco seasoning, black beans, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil. Once it is boiling pour over 2 cups of rice in a casserole dish. Mix it up and then cook in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes.

I ate mine with a few tortilla chips crunched up over the top of it and it was really yummy! It makes a lot which worked out great because I'm putting half in the freezer for another time and we will eat it again tomorrow as left overs. But if you don't want such a big batch the just half everything. Happy eating!!!

I also did the math and I only have about $5.50 in this whole batch of food. We will get a total of 6 meals out of what we have for leftovers and what is frozen. So that means it's right around .90 a meal. You can't beat that! Wahooo!

Clickin Mama

Steals and Deals

I just signed The Hulk and I up for a KinderMusik class. So we start taking our sing and sign class on Thursday night! I'm so excited! There are so few activities to do around here with little ones. I've been searching since The Hulk was born for some kind of activity for us. And we have been working on signing for awhile now too. So this class is perfect for us.

Since we signed up I was checking out the kindermusik website and found some great bargains! They have all kinds of cd's, dvd's, and books on sale. All the cd's come with board books and have lots of interactive songs. Some of them were only $1.95 a piece. I ended up spending $15.95 and got $89.95 worth of stuff! That is more than $50.00 in savings. So if you are ever looking for gifts for kids or activities for your kids that is a site to visit for some real deals!

Clickin Mama

Sacrifices

We all have to make sacrifices when money is tight. Since the cash flow isn't really flowing we have all had to give a few things up. I don't get my daily Diet Dr. Pepper with Vanilla from Sonic anymore, I don't eat out, I quit buying magazines, I'm cutting coupons and buying all groceries on sale, and I've given up the male escorts. Like I said we all must make sacrifices.

The Hulk has even made a few sacrifices but he doesn't really know it. He no longer gets a new book every time we are at a store. We use the library more. He also isn't getting new clothes like he used too. I use second hand stores and eBay more and more. I have found some adorable stuff for him for next to nothing! Mad props to the Once Upon A Child People! And he is no longer allowed to go to the strip club. Throwing away money on girls just isn't acceptable.

So while we are all making some sacrifices our poor dog Lena is really giving up a lot! This poor dog no longer gets tons of scooby snacks! Those things are pricey. She doesn't even get the name brand dog food anymore. She didn't even get any new toys for Christmas. But the worst part is that she hasn't been to the groomer in I don't know how long. I just can't bring myself to spend the $36 for a dog haircut when I don't even have the money to get my own hair done. She won't let me trim it so you can't even hardly see her eyes anymore. So her is poor Lena girl in all her sacrificing glory. What a sad looking little dog she is.....



Clickin Mama

Green Beans for Baby

I've had a couple people email me about how I make The Hulk' baby food. It's so easy and it saves so much money! Tonight I made him green beans and broccoli and it took me about 35 minutes start to finish. And that is for about a one month supply of green beans and about a 2 1/2 week supply of broccoli. So simple! So to help those of you out that are just getting started with the baby food I'll walk ya through the easy baby green beans...

1. I wash the green beans and snip the ends. I also usually break them in half depending on their size.

2. Steam the grean beens for about 10-12 minutes. I just check them off and on and poke them with a fork to tell when they are done.

They usually look something like this when they are done.



3. I let them cool for about 10 minutes and then I put them in a bowl to mash them. I use a potato masher to squish them up. I used to put them through the food processor but The Hulk is big enough now to have thicker food. He likes to use those teeth.



4. After they are mashed I spoon them into the ice cube trays. Cover the trays with aluminum foil and freeze overnight.



5. The next day you pop them out of the trays and put them in a Ziploc FREEZER baby. It must be a freezer bag, not a storage bag! They can be frozen for about 6 weeks.

6. To serve just put the cubes in a bowl and microwave until thawed.

Now each tray makes 16 cubes. 2 cubes is the equivilent of a size 2 jar of baby food. So each tray equals 8 jars of food. Each jar of food is about .88. So if you bought the green beans you would spend $7.04 before tax. This time when I bought fresh green beans I paid $1.02 for the beans I bought. So that is a savings of $6.02. And that is just on the green beans for this month. If you think about all the other food I make I probably save close to $75.00 a month by making my own food. And it is so much healthier than the jar food.

So good luck with your baby food making. Of course if you have any other questions email me or leave a comment. I'd be happy to help you.