Money Monday - Taped in Advance

Tape refills seem to be getting more expensive.  And it is a lot of money to drop to get them as a package of four or more, especially when you just need one.  I discovered that regular disposable tape dispensers often go on sale for Back-To-School,  but rarely the refills.  And, most importantly, you can pop out the roll - it will fit the roller insert, and put it in your permanent desktop tape dispenser.   I easily saved more than half off the refill cost with the sales.  While they may not as large as the refill size, there's plenty enough on there to last for awhile.  (Plus you can recycle the plastic disposable dispensers.)

Monday Musing - the Goo of Aquamarine (Sounds kinda Zen-like, yes? There is a lesson contained herein)

Not actual size

What is it about samples?

We love to get them,
but we don't love to use them?  What's the deal here?

They pile onto each other in the drawers we stuff them in, until about once a year we do a clean out, and donate them to women's shelters and food banks.  
And vow to use the freebie goodies we think we want to keep.

But then what do we do?  Perhaps toss a few that leaked or can't figure out what they are/do.

Hair catalyst?!

Some are easily carbon-dated -

In my defense this was hidden underneath, yes, more traveling kits

Some are so tiny, there's barely enough for one use.

So we think we will use it when we travel, thanks to TSA.
Stashing a few of them in our traveling makeup/toiletries bags.   Which I've also sorted through, tossed/donated.

But who wants to take a chance on something that could stink to high heaven when trying to impress relatives and friends, or a special occasion you flew halfway across the country for.   Or a quick* weekend getaway trip.

*While patting yourself on the back for being so spontaneous and prepared, be sure to prelocate those urgent care ER rooms popping up in strip malls and along the freeways.  Or also toss in a few doses of Benadryl in the convenient peel-to-open dose packaging.

Or even an allergic reaction to the product since you can't see the ingredients on said tiny tube if they are even on there, since you peeled it off the glue dot of the cardboard holder upon acquiring and tossing into the drawer.
#NoSoy, #NoStrawberries
Trust me on this.

We are savers.  Not so much money, but for stuff.  And security.
Perhaps we need to focus more on the money, too.   Seriously.
(It doesn't count you saved money with free stuff.)

Saving for a special occasion or just to know we have?
(this translates to money, too)
Eventually it all turns.  (the freebies and the economy)

We are easily inbred to try and save things, don't use the good stuff, I may need this someday.  I know, because this happened. . .

My Mom had this beautiful bottle of lotion by Revlon, "Aquamarine."  The color, so pretty.  The name, my birthstone.  I would look at it for years on the shelf in the linen closet. Being saved for what?   Obviously for me - a 10 year old me going after at least a 5 year old bottle of....goo glop!  I thought I could get away with just opening it and seeing what aquamarines smelled like at least.   But - It...exploded when I twisted off the cap and squeezed!  All over me, my clothes, the clean towels, the shelves, the floor.  And it didn't smell how I thought aquamarines would.

Revlon Aquamarine Body Lotion

Lesson learned then and now, and oft-repeated. . .

Be mindful -- You can have abundance with less.
Start with those drawers and shelves (and linen closets) today and be in the moment to -
-Use and enjoy what you have.
-Keep only what you truly like and need.
-Stop stocking and waiting for the right time.
-If you don't want it, decline or donate.  There are others who will.

Later is now.

Money Monday - Call Me!

Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone or your home phone speed dial:

1-800-Goog-411. (1-800/466-4411)

This is a FREE nationwide service from Google -- great when you are on the road...or even at home. Save your money on information calls and save your time dialing the number.
When you dial 1-800-goog411, the prompts will ask for "City and State", then "Business, Name or Type of Service" and then say "Connecting", placing the call for you automatically.

It is nationwide and absolutely free! Click on the link below and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration. http://www.google.com/goog411

Money Monday - Bag It!

While shopping to prepare for upcoming orthodontic work, I spied an old favorite, Cream of Wheat. Both the individual packages and the bulk box versions. Both the same price, but not the same servings. Why pay triple the price for convenience when you can make your own bags? With a few sandwich bags and a few seconds, I scooped three tablespoonfuls serving and sealed the deal (bag) myself. I have also prepared my own cake and bread machine mixes -- just the dry ingredients. While you are measuring out the ingredients for your current baking/cooking recipe, toss an extra one into a Zip-loc. Using a Sharpie marker, write down the rest of the recipe ingredients, even the directions/oven temp and you are set to go even faster next time. You can store your bags inside another large zip bag, an airtight container or even the freezer.

Money Monday - Read all about it!

I discovered Mercury Magazines via the Money Saving Mom website (yesterday's "Who are these people? entry), when she posted about a free subscription to Woman's Day magazine. All you have to do is complete a short online questionnaire about your interests. Predominantly offering business magazine titles, there will be occasionally other popular titles available periodically, like Woman's Day, etc. They are on the up and up, and won't sell your name/address/email to marketers and other businesses. (I know this because I used my middle name as my last name, and I haven't received anything else.) They only email to let you know of additional magazines available you may be interested in, about once a week.

Money Monday - Seasons Change

I sort through my pantry and freezer when the seasons change. Another good idea - replace your mascara, too! Even though May isn't technically summer, when it starts heating up here, I'm thinking "here we go!" By going through the stash every three months, you are still in the range of most likely being able to use what you find -and what you thought you lost - "there's the Lindt chocolate bar I had hidden!"- that's near expiration, instead of tossing in the trash. (The "Best By" dated items, not the "Expires") With Googling and some creative meal planning, you can help keep the change when the seasons do.

(Fabric photo used with permission and courtesy of True Up)

Money Monday AND Who are these people and what are the doing here? Two for Tuesday!

As you can obviously tell, I have a rather eclectic group of friends and fellow bloggers in the right alley. Each week on Sunday (or thereabouts) I will randomly showcase one from the list. I love to discover new blogs, and I think you will enjoy the introduction for new places to visit in Bloggy Land.

This week -- IKEA Hacker

Even if you don't have an IKEA where you live, or their furniture, you can get the ideas to jumpstart your creative thinking, and changing the way you look at things. Not everything has to be brand new, especially today.

Money Monday - Twist Again

One of my bathrooms still has those circa mid-1980's clear globe 40 watt lights. I still like them - at least until we get around to redoing, but they can be a little pricey. But before you replace the bulbs, try unscrewing and retightening them. I was surprised to see that about half the time, that's all it needed to work again. Apparently when I am dusting/wiping them clean each week, they can move just enough to loosen the contact and make you think the bulb has burned out. Worth a try!

Money Monday - Replacement Value

I try to keep a good stockpile of items I use all the time, at the very least one. As soon as I use and replace it, it goes on the list. (Even the 100 sheet box of Downey...not likely it will be used up immediately, it still gets added.) If it goes on sale or there is a coupon in the interim, I will stock up. Was it growing up in a blizzard-centric part of the country? Do I consider membership at Costco and Sam's empowering? Did I learn to tune out the mutterings of my family when they open the pantry and a two pound box of crackers falls on their foot? Yes to all of the above. The peace of mind, the inevitable increasing cost, the economy, even the weather can be factors to keep your sanity and budget intact.

Money Monday AND Who are these people and what are the doing here? Combo Deal!

The Thrifty Chicks This blog is fun and educational. All about thrifting - shopping and showcasing the thrift store finds to save money and keep your style. Lots of great links, too.

Money Monday - String Theory

Many of the shopping bags today have rather nice corded handles. More durable than the paper bag itself. If you sew or craft, you'll easily be able to repurpose them for your projects, or even to tie a sewn gift bag closed.

Speaking of bags, Earthbound Farm Organics is giving away 10,000 reusable shopping tote bags each week during the month of April to celebrate Earth Day. Click here to take the pledge to sustain yourself and sustain the planet.

Money Monday - Sew What!

Sew this! Anthropologie's Ice Memory $198 dress for less than $25, easy. I had heard recently that McCalls (and Simplicity) are a little more trendy and get the knock-offs to the pattern books. Case in point - McCall's M5655. Even though the pattern is priced at $15.95; the stores will often have sales for $1.99 and even 99 cents a pattern. 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 yards of fabric - bought on sale, too. Spool of thread, a bit of elastic (watch for half price notions sales, also!) and you are good and looking good to go. Give McCall's and Simplicity patterns a look when you are looking for a knock off and to be a knock out!

Also be sure to check out www.patternreview.com - an online sewing community and invaluable source of pattern information to help you sew and save even more. There you will find reviews of different patterns, online sewing classes, tips, and more.

Money Monday - Urawaza!

I first heard of the Japanese word Urawaza - meaning clever tips and tricks - when I read Paul Boutin's article in the February 19 Circuits section of the New York Times. He listed several neat low-tech fixes for high-tech problems. My favorite was using your head (literally) to extend the range of your remote car door opener by holding the metal part of the key fob against your chin and then pressing the button, turning your head into an antenna to make the signal go a little bit farther! And Lisa Katayama is the author of "Urawaza," a collection of clever (and cheap) ways to solve problems with what you have on hand. Anything you can do to make something work better and last a little longer is a great way to save money.

Money Monday - Go Green!

I try to drink lots of water and get at least two servings of green tea a day. With the exception of the cooler temperatures this past weekend, it's hard to drink hot green tea when it's warmer. I was using the Lipton tea to go packets, but they didn't always dissolve completely, had a somewhat off-taste and were costly. I decided to try making my own, reusing the water bottle from the morning's workout so by the time I left to get my daughter from school, it would be cold enough to grab and go. I've got a big mug to hold the refilled 16.9 ounces/500 ml of water to microwave and make my green tea. (Costco sells a box of 100 green tea bags for around $12). Add a little bit of honey, let cool , pour back into the bottle and refrigerate. Not only do I reuse my water bottle one more time before recycling, but I can make my own non-clumping, chemical-free green iced tea for less than 15 cents.

Money Monday - Buy Down to Save Up

(With apologies to my dad, the English teacher). Despite the economy, we still need our SPF moisturizer and dishwasher detergent. After many trials and errors, I found two products that worked well for me - Bobbi Brown and Cascade. But looking to save some money, I thought I would try these for funsies. Because of Costco's product guarantee, especially those endorsed with the Kirkland Signature label and their friendly return policy, it was worth the potential savings attempt.

After hearing horror stories about the "environmentally friendly" dishwashing detergents, I was a bit skeptical about Costco's - but the $5.49 price for a 7.81 pound box was a good gamble bet. Even the box itself doesn't have the metal spout. Verdict: It washed the dishes quite well. No difference other than I think it actually cleans better than Cascade.

Bobbi Brown vs. Kirkland Borghese Protective Face Lotion. For starters, the size difference - 50 ml versus 100 ml. And price - $45 versus $16.99 abouts. Both have SPF 15 and same percentage of Octinoxate (7.5%). I like the fragrance of BB's a little bit better, but the Costco one is pleasant. It smells fresh and a little more like summer. That's OK. Saving more than 60%, I'll adjust!

Be willing to try different versions of the products you use. You may be surprised how much you like them and how much money you can save.

Money Monday - Egg-stra Cheep!

I buy two kinds of eggs - the healthier (and pricier) kind and the cheap ones. I'll use the Eggland or Omega 3 ones from Costco when I need a whole egg or the yolk, and the cheepies for the egg white recipes.

Money Monday - Super (Savings) Bowl

I love the Super Bowl...and I don't really like football! But I do enjoy all the savings at the grocery store right now. This is the time to score the best prices of the year on cheese, Rotel tomatoes, and beef. And of course, assorted salty snacks, chips and soft drinks, too. Don't fumble this savings opportunity!

Money Monday - Button Up!

Even with half-price sales on buttons, those cards can still be pricey. I have found some really nice ones at my local thrift stores. Look at all the Mother-of-Pearl and abalone I've collected, along with lots of sparkly rhinestones - I rescued 9 of those larger ones from a metallic silver plastic snakeskin coat (!?), a jarful of mock tortoise shells, and an Altoids tin of shirt buttons for those last minute button breaks in the morning. (T's mom and the USMC trained him well, I'll keep needles threaded with white thread in the sewing basket and he'll sew them back on. Funny, he didn't want to take me up on my offer to sew that collar button while he was still wearing the shirt the other day...) You can really score when you hit the stores on special sale days or the dollar rack. Those 80's clothes had great buttons - especially on the power suit jackets and the chintz dresses.

Money Monday - Fewer gets you further

Be open to trying new recipes and new variations of favorites. While I love my original Taco Soup Recipe, I just discovered a new "Southwestern Soup" recipe in the January 2009 issue of Southern Living. Same taste genre - beany, taco meaty...but calling for fewer ingredients. Fewer ingredients = fewer dollars spent. And additional bonus - fewer calories!

An added note: Southern Living has great recipes and a cool website. You can tell it is a sibling of Cooking Light magazine. If you like one, you'll probably like the other.

Money Monday - Do You Measure Up?

If you do, you could be wasting money and detergent. Look closely at your detergent scoop. Odds are the "normal size" load line is hard to see. I highlighted mine with a Sharpie and just transfer the scoop when I open a new box. The detergent manufacturers are hoping you'll just absentmindedly toss in "a scoopful" with your laundry load, without your realizing you are almost using double the amount needed. You'll get more loads out of a box and more wear out of your clothes that aren't dingy with detergent build-up.

FYI: This is the time to stock up on detergent and cleaning supplies. Sales and coupons abound right now. All part of the New Year resolutions/clean up promotions. The regular price of the Tide I buy is between $15-$17, it's been on sale the last two weeks for $10.99. And even a better deal with the $1 coupons or 35 cent tripled coupons - I've got three boxes stashed away.