Is It The Recession or Have I Just Become Cheap?

I mean....THRIFTY.

So, I don't do Black Friday shopping, but each year I spend a couple of hours shopping the day after Christmas. Usually I'm at Target when they open at 7AM and then I pick another store where I want to get Christmas decor on sale (Some years it has been an upscale nursery that sells beautiful decor, other years it is Pottery Barn or Michael's Crafts).

This all started in 2006 when we lived in a new house with NO Christmas decorations. I just couldn't bring myself to pay full price, even 30% off, when the day after Christmas everything was at least 50% off or more.

Each year I budget a certain amount and I take inventory of what decor I would like to add around the house. Some years there is more $$$ to spend, some years I don't want as much. I usually scope out the shops of my choice in the weeks leading up to Christmas, just to see if they have stuff I want.

So each year I head to Target with the HOARD of other women with the same idea. The Parking Lot is always packed and you always see tons of people you know. I love it, I've gotten great stuff at great prices. But this year it was different.

Target was NOT packed as usual. Also, everything was JUST 50% off. Which is a good deal, but I feel like in years past there were better prices the day after Christmas. I got through the line so quickly, which is unusual. I know this year people have many reasons to cut their budgets...job loss, pay cuts, illness, upcoming business changes, moving, retirement, and debt repayment. And boy was that evident in the isles of Target this morning.

Also, since last year I have become more of a Thrifty Shopper. Maybe I've changed, and my expectations of what I spend my money on have changed, or how much I pay for it?

I actually got out of there with only $22 worth of wrapping paper (the stuff I had from last year was so hideous. What was I thinking?????)....no other Christmas clearance. Oh, don't worry. Target didn't let me go so easily. We needed a plunger, hangers, binkies (got to have pink ones!), and a toy on sale for Jacob.

So, I'm glad I saved my money......and I know that after the first of the year Target clearances stuff from all over the store to upwards of 70%-80% off. Maybe there will be Christmas decor left over then too. Until then, me and the other hoards of women, we decided to hang on to our money today. It actually feels great!

Macy's One Day Sale

So, I read these blogs on couponing....I keep a close eye on groceries and toiletries as I've mentioned before.

But I thought I'd mention something I've never seen on those blogs......Macy's One Day Sales

History: January 2008, Jacob was 4 months old, Bergen and I were forging our sisterly bond and discovering new "common" interests. We saw (I can't remember which one of us) the add for the Macy's sale, and we decided to go. Bergen had a ton of gift cards from Christmas, and I had a paycheck coming that was all for ME. So we went....and we discovered morning sales, 50% off items already marked down 50%. We both got some great stuff. We soon learned that Macy's has one day sales every month or 2. And for the last 2 years, nothing has ever been as good as that sale. But every once in a while you hit the mother load!

So here is the DownLow:

• Everything will go on sale. If you can possibly live without it (if they sell out of your size before it goes on sale) just watch it closely until it goes on sale.


• Unless you need something very specific (IE a interview suit, party outfit, the perfect jeans, the perfect shoes, etc) NEVER buy full priced there. I never buy anything less than 50% off, usually not under 65% off.


• Learn where the clearance racks are. Seriously, I NEVER stop at racks unless they say 50%, 65%, 75%, or 85% off.


• Coupons.....if you see a One Day Sale commercial on TV, look online at Macy's website they almost ALWAYS have a coupon. Read the exclusions, sometimes they do exclude certain brands.

• Macy's return policy is SUPER! They will take anything back. Bergen's taken shoes back that had no box, that she wore once and they were uncomfortable. They took them back and gave her in store credit, no questions asked!


• Don't be discouraged, you won't find something at every one day sale....many sales go by and I find NOTHING. Don't buy something just because it is a good deal. They have these one day sales ALL the time. January is usually a good time because they are trying to get rid of their stock for inventory. But if you miss it, don't worry there will always be another one.


• Every One Day Sale is really a 2 day sale. Yes, you read right....there is always a preview day. It is the exact same sale, the exact same morning specials, coupons work the day before.....it is just a gimmick to call it a One Day Sale.

Okay, lets get real......the sale is just a gimmick to get you in the store, so you'll buy other stuff. They'll always have other things on "sale" that aren't such a good deal. Just be DISCIPLINED! Take cash only! Take a calculator if you need help. Sales associates are always willing to ring something in to check the price after sale reductions.

Some of our deals:

• I just bought my nephew a snow/winter coat. It is Nike brand, originally $85. It was on a sale rack for 14.99. After the One Day Sale reduction and my coupon....it came out to $4.99!


• Bergen just got a nice pair of jeans. Org: $85 I think they ended up being around $8.


• I bought a sweater for a gift, Org: $114. I paid $35.


• Bergen and I just bought some shirts that all were originally in the $30-$40 range, and they all averaged out to be $4 each after sale reduction and coupons.
• I've bought $90 pants for $15

I hate to "dig" for good deals. At Macy's I don't. I just head straight for the clearance racks, go to my size, flip through.....it is FAST and easy. I don't spend lots of time doing this. Just on Wednesday I spent 45 minutes in the store (Jacob was in the stroller and we were on a time crunch) and I hit Men's clearance, children's clearance, women's underwear clearance, and linens clearance. All in 45 minutes. See, don't waste time, don't dig, just get good deals or get out!

So, if you are changing clothing sizes, pregnant, want something "different," just feel like getting a new outfit but are on a budget, looking for a nice gift on a budget....try it out. I must admit, some Macy's are ghetto. We are lucky, Bergen and I, that we have a nice Macy's. It's not Nordstrom or Sax, but it is pretty nice for our little town.

I hope this little guide helps. So, if you get a bit of cash for Christmas, check out the One Day Sale that they will have in January.

p.s. No I don't get paid by Macy's. And No I don't have a Macy's credit card. Although card holders do get a bigger discount...it is worth the extra 20% not to have the temptation to spend more than I have.

p.p.s. Dillard's has a killer sale on shoes the first day of January. If you are drooling over some amazing boots, that is the time to get them!

Maternity Jeans Revisited

So, here we are 3 months after I wrote my first Maternity Jeans post....and I have been wearing my refashioned pants for quite a while. I thought I'd share some tips I've learned along the way, in case anyone else out there is interested.

First off, Adri at Mama Mia is probably who's idea I follow the most closely. But the chic at Grosgrain explains making the band better.

Who would want to do this project: All pregnant ladies, I'd think! But if you can wear your jeans or even maternity jeans UNDER your belly, go for it. That is what I did with my first pregnancy and it was comfortable and easy. NOT SO MUCH this time around. This little one is laying lower, or something, so nothing is allowed to be worn under without some amount of discomfort...meaning that I've had to utilize the panel the entire pregnancy.

Why are these "home made" refashions better: Unless you spend HUGE money on really well made maternity jeans, maternity jeans you find at Motherhood or JCPenny, etc, don't fit! They either have too much stretch making them shapeless (the last thing you need when you already feel like the blob), or they are cute but fit weird in weird places (especially if the junk in your trunk increases during pregnancy). These home made refashions take great regular jeans/pants, that fit everywhere besides your belly, and you just alter them to fit the belly. GENIUS!

Tips:

• Make your own panel out of Polyester with LYCRA fabric. you can find it at JoAnn's. 1 yard will make several panels. I used black.
• Don't use the pre made bella bands (or that type). They didn't seem to be strong enough to hold up to the tugging....which you will do to get the pants on....since there is not waist band to use in pulling them up.


• Instead of doubling the tube/panel to sew on the pants, I just made a tall version of Grosgrain's. I sewed the raw edge to the jeans, and hemmed the top edge. This way I can fold it in half or wear it full panel as the belly gets bigger. It also seems to hold the jeans up better this way.


• Use Adri's method of cutting in front, or else you'll find yourself with a panel that starts WAY TOO LOW in front. Believe me, I did this.


• Try to find jeans/pants with a higher waistband. Thankfully this style is coming back! Since you'll be cutting the waist band off, it gives you more jean in the end. Low rise jeans turn into REALLY low rise jeans after they've been refashioned....and it is harder to hide the panel under your shirt.


• HIPS DON'T LIE. I just had to write that. Well, for me this pregnancy, my hips have spread out faster (and maybe wider?) than the first time around. Meaning, the cute pants I refashioned at 22 weeks no longer fit at 32 weeks. They fit everywhere else, but the hips .... they had something different in mind. So, you may find yourself needing to refashion more pants in the later part of your 3rd trimester. I just refashioned what I hope is my last pair of jeans for this pregnancy..... and since I need the confidence boost, I actually spent good money on these jeans.....because I feel experienced enough I didn't worry about messing it up. Practice makes perfect.

Hemming: Well, as long as I was refashioning jeans....I decided to learn to hem my own pants. Normally I would never do this.....I would have the store or a tailor hem them using the original cuff. But since I've been buying a lot of my pants online, and I don't want to spend extra money on dumb maternity jeans at the tailor.....I figured out a middle of the road solution. It is better than the goofy hem, just folding them under (which I have done, it is okay on cords, but stupid on jeans), but not as great as the in store tailoring.

So Stephanie at Barefoot in the Kitchen and the chic at Dacia Ray explain the same method. In the end, it looks from afar like the upscale hem. BUT when you look close you'll see there is a fold, which is annoying to me....but not annoying enough to pay someone to alter my jeans for me. It is super easy, I did this to a pair of jeans this morning in 15 minutes. It turned out great.

Bottom Line: Having a well fitting pair of regular jeans that you refashion for maternity wear makes you/me feel much more comfortable in jeans and pants. Pants seems to be the biggest hurdle in maternity dressing (besides the whole wedding/dance/party outfit dilemma), and this Maternity Refashion has made wearing pants during pregnancy (which is a must for our mountain west cold weather) so much nicer.

Toddlers and Tomatoes

I can honestly say being a mom has never been so much fun. This kid cracks me up hourly! Yesterday was the dirtiest he has ever been. While I was making dinner, Jacob was out front with his dad and the neighbor and our Neighbor's baby daughter. When I called Jacob to come in and eat his dad sent him home looking like THIS:


This pictures doesn't do it justice. He is hard to take pictures of these days, he moves so much and wants to run the camera.

As you can see by these pictures, Jacob loves glasses. I bought him his own pair of sunglasses, that he can only wear when we go outside (or he'd run around the house all day with them and eventually poke his eye out!). The first two sunglasses pics are what I found after we returned home from some errands. Oh, and don't worry, I do buckle him up all the way in the car. I just remembered my camera was in the car AFTER I started to unbuckle him ;)

A great woman from church not only taught me how to can Salsa recently, but she also gave me TONS of tomatoes and bell peppers last week. Sunday I spent the evening canning tomatoes. All I have to show here are salsa and halved tomatoes. I also made tomato paste. Word to the wise, buying them is always better. I spent hours and hours trying to get the right consistency, which never happened, then 50 minutes processing (I am getting a pressure canner ASAP), only to find that there was WAY TOO MUCH AIR in them and had to throw it all out. Live and learn. Today: Fresh Salsa. Yum! Can't wait.

I've found this great website called the National Center for Home Food Preservation and an interesting article from the University of Minnesota on Food Safety: Outdated canning methods for apples, potatoes, and pumpkins. They are worth the read for anyone interested.

I'm looking for a hard copy book on canning. I'm mostly interested in the safety. I can read online all I want, but some of the sources are suspicious and I want to be safe! Any Ideas?

p.s. I'm pretty annoyed at blogger for taking away my ability to change fonts. Hmmph!

Hopeful

So, in the spirit of addressing a problem and having hope in finding a solution, here a few links to some great blogs, articles, and talks.

I really think that we can each have joy in our homes and lives as we strive to do what is right.....or as we struggle to figure out what "right" is.


I'm so thankful for a Thomas S. Monson, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His leadership and hopeful attitude give me energy to keep trying to "figure it out."


Elder L. Tom Perry gave this talk in October. This spoke to me like no other talk has done in a long time.


Links to thrift and simple living blogs


Get Out of Debt


Constant Truths for Changing Times

Save Until You're Broke

Shop 'till you drop?  

So, I'm confused?  I need to hear people's ideas? 

The economy, housing market, jobs, industries, EVERYONE is in turmoil.  I hesitate to use the BUZZ words flying around, such as "Stimulus, Economy, Downturn, Recession, Bail Out....etc," but I'm sure I will.  They are good words, but over used in the media.  So, as I'm getting ready in the morning (every morning), the news talks about bail outs, stimulus packages, and new businesses going under.  It is clear, we need to keep spending money to keep the economy afloat while the government boost the economy from the underside.....or so I'm told each morning.  

                                   WHY DOESN'T THAT SEEM LIKE THE RIGHT ANSWER?

Why does my gut feeling tell me to save, be thrifty, get out of debt, make do or live without? Don't worry, I'm not on my high horse.  I am going on a mini getaway this weekend, I buy nice clothing, and live in a nice home......I'm not preaching.....I'm sharing what I feel in my gut.  

SAVE, BE THRIFTY, GET OUT OF DEBT, MAKE DO OR DO WITHOUT! It is persistent feeling I'm having, but I'm conflicted in a way.  I understand the rationale behind the idea of continuing to infuse the US market with consumer $$ to keep businesses afloat while they downsize and get out of debt themselves.  Our family's livelihood it based on a service industry where we rely on people spending their hard earned money on our services.  

Don't even get me started on the fact that our consumer spending is most often done on credit, and always post tax dollars, which is then taxed when we purchase goods, and then the retailer or service provider is paying taxes on his/her end.  Then the much of consumer spending $$ go to countries outside the US who own the companies manufacturing our goods.........Blah Blah Blah.  

But, if we continue to spend money, that isn't ours as long as we are in debt to a creditor of any sorts, how will we help?  It seems like a band-aid on an arterial bleed.     I truly believe, the answer is going to hurt.  Businesses will fail, homes will be lost, bankruptcies will happen, jobs will be lost......ugh just writing this brings me to tears.  These things could happen to us too.  But I have a strong belief in consequences.  We can choose our actions but not the consequences of our actions.  This "downturn".....and I believe all my friends who have lost jobs, homes, etc would call it much worse than a DOWNturn, is a consequence of debt.....isn't it?  Debt at all levels?  World, National, Regional, Personal levels?  

So, what do you think?  Should we keep spending?  Do we need to attempt a temporary fix while we figure things out?  Will this temporary fix give the Obama leadership time to overhaul things?  Do we need to save?  

I support Obama as President as long as he has our best interest at heart, but he personally can't fix the problem, we have to be the change he speaks of.  What change do we need?  Spend or Save?  

I'm leaning toward saving.  I think it makes the most sense in my life.  But I don't want to be naive and think I'm a solitary island.  I am a proud citizen, how can I act that way while keeping my family's best interests at heart? 

Hmmm....I do love shopping, I really wish that is what my gut was telling me.  But it isn't! 

Food Storage

I did a search this morning of "home food storage ideas" on google blog search.
Check out the blogs, they each have many links to other great blogs, websites, and files. Here are my Favorites:


University of Utah Extension These are PDF files with info on storing, how much, when, where, why, and it is all research based. This is the MOTHER LOAD.

Food Storage Calculator Next best find this morning. As our family grows, this will be invaluable.

The Pantry Panel

The Prudent Homemaker This blogger is quite "elevated" when it comes to food storage. I'm just thankful that I don't have to be so creative with my $$. But this blog helps me see how I could be if I had to.

iPrepared Blog with tutorials on getting yourself together

Safely Gathered In

National Center for Home Food Preservation

Provident Living (of course)

Okay, now for my commentary. I'm no Granola! I'm a consumer. Just last night the mall ate my spending money! But since I became pregnant, my husband and I have felt the strongest pull to making our family more "poof." I've talked about it before.....Finances, Physical Health, Food Storage, Emergency Preparedness, Spiritual Reserve.

I have a wonderful grocery store locally, with great prices and I bag my own groceries. I used to (earlier this year) be able to get out of the store weekly (with a loosely made meal plan) for $70 -$80 for the 3 of us. Now, I can't get out for less than $90-$100. I know.....I need to start being more strict about what I put in my cart, having a more firm meal plan, etc. But the increase in price has made me realize what a blessing being able to cook out of my own pantry is. I feel so great when I bust out something I've grown, or something I've preserved, or something locally grown. It tastes better.

I could go on....instead....look at the links.....and see what your family can do.

Greener, Cheaper, Safer, Self Reliant.

Provident Living

I've mentioned this before, but I wanted to refresh every one's minds.
Recently there have been many devastating natural disasters across the world, and now with stock market in the United States at it's lowest point since the Great Depression, people everywhere are looking for ways to "tighten the belt."

I have gained such a strong testimony of provident living. In the last year my husband and I have shifted our focus to paying off debt, establishing a food storage, and preparing our homes, bodies, and testimonies as we have been counseled by our church leaders. In the last year, we have found more happiness in our home and more security in our financial position. We wouldn't trade that happiness for one vacation, car, or piece of furniture. We still have a long way to go, more student loans to pay, more food to store, more emergency plans to create, and more time on our knees to become more faithful people.

Join me, no matter what religious affiliation, in becoming a more provident person. I'm crazy about the website www.providentliving.org It is a great starting place, with very simple advice that can be applied to all homes, situations, and incomes. I just discovered on the website some financial calculators that may be interesting to many of my friends and family.

Also, on this topic. I'm looking for a good, daily use wheat/grain grinder. Any suggestions?

Fruit of my Garden

I'm so excited to share some of my vegetables from my garden. I'm so excited about my vegetables. I was a little worried since I started so late, but I think things will be just fine. Check it out!

Home & Garden

We have had many requests for pics of our house. Well, here they are. Sorry, no pics of the inside due to the mess created by sick mama's and baby! We built our home last summer, and moved in when Jacob was 1 week old. So, I actually had nothing to do with the moving in. I just laid in bed with Jacob while our families moved us in. Thanks family!

We thoroughly enjoy living here, and anticipate living here for quite some time (famous last words, I know). We have things to do, such as build a fence, clear out the garage, plant more trees....but since we'll be here for such a long time, what's the rush?

The plantings came in nicely this spring, I was worried, because they looked so odd last fall. It has been so nice to watch things grow. And speaking of growing....drum roll please......

I started my SQUARE FOOT GARDEN on Monday. It was quite easy. Yes, I did get a late start due to cold temps and high winds. I still need to build my grid for growing my tomatoes and squash vertically. I'm very excited! I'll post more as it continues to grow.

I think I'll put in one more box for a late fall harvest. Mel's mix = the soil, is manure, peat moss, and vermiculite. Seemed odd to me, but I had to try it, since the dirt around the house is so bad. These new subdivisions have had all the top soil removed, thus growing things is hard. I also have plans for a drip system this summer. It gets so hot here, and I'm not the most consistent waterer.

Keep your fingers crossed that something grows!

Provident Living

My wise father encouraged me to be bold and follow the counsel of our church leader, Elder Ballard, and share some of my testimony on the Internet.

Last year a lesson taught in church, by Lonnie B, struck a chord, that I have been mulling over for some time. I have come to have a personal testimony of it, and wanted to share this ever important principle with my readers. Don't get me wrong, I'm such a novice in this area, but I'm filled with a desire to follow after the goal of Provident Living.

The lesson can be found in the "Teaching of the President's of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball"
Chapter 11: Provident Living: Applying Principles of Self-Reliance and Preparedness,” Please take a few minutes to read this lesson: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ae39862384d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

I guess I know I am growing a strong testimony of this principle, because I don't feel intimidated any more, I just feel determined and empowered. I'm so excited about it.

The lesson states: "No amount of philosophizing, excuses, or rationalizing will ever change the fundamental need for self-reliance. This is so because:
'All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, … as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.” (D&C 93:30.) The Lord declares that herein lies “the agency of man” (see D&C 93:31), and with this agency comes the responsibility for self. With this agency we can rise to glory or fall to condemnation. May we individually and collectively be ever self-reliant. This is our heritage and our obligation.7' "

How interesting it is, that to be truly self reliant we must be 100% understanding of our dependence on Jesus Christ. Such a dependence leads to total self reliance. How is this? I don't know that....yet, but I do know it works.

Here are our family's first 3 goals toward a more Provident Life:
1. Get out of Debt
2. Food Storage
3. Physical Fitness, improve and maintain

If any of you are interested enough to read more on this topic, please read the lesson above and also visit www.providentliving.org

"Let’s do these things because they are right, because they are satisfying, and because we are obedient to the counsels of the Lord...But if we live wisely and providently, we will be as safe as in the palm of His hand." ~ Spencer W. Kimball, Oct. 1977

Square Foot Gardening

Over the next few weeks I will begin construction of my first "Square Foot Garden" boxes. I will start my seeds indoors as well, since there is still frost many mornings. I'm very excited about my garden, and I feel that Square Foot Gardening will give me, a first time gardener, confidence. My guide will be "All New Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew.

This picture is not mine, it belongs to someone else, but it is just a taste for my readers. I'll keep you posted, with my OWN pictures and adventures in gardening.

*hmm.....I'll have to find some sort of shade for Jacob while we are outside (he is so Fair). Any ideas?