Eat for Less

I live in Massachusetts. This state has some of the highest tax rates in the country. We don't have any tax on clothing or food which seems wonderful on the surface. However, taxes are much higher on corporations (the companies that grow, pack, transport, and sell the food). Therefore, businesses cover their costs by raising prices. The shelf price of food in Massachusetts can be ridiculous. When I first moved here from Illinois, I was stunned. Illinois has high taxes, but Massachusetts blew them away. Since I had just moved to a new state, I had to re-buy all the kitchen essentials. I filled the cart with items I would typically buy at my Super Walmart in Southern Illinois. I usually spent about $100 on a cart full of groceries. When those same items rang up in Western Mass, the store employees had to call in the paramedics to resuscitate me. The total was over $300. THREE TIMES THE PRICE.

Welcome to New England.

Thankfully, I started getting to know people who recommended a store called Price Rite. This grocery chain does not advertise, does not accept coupons (processing coupons costs millions of dollars), and charges for bags. As a result their prices are amazing. I bring my own bags - green and cheap - and save hundreds of dollars. Here's what I purchased this week. My favorite purchase was the bag of Romain lettuce salad for $0.50. FIFTY CENTS!!!!! Can you see why I'm loving this store? I can feed a family of 6 for a week and entertain once for about $100.

Why I LOVE Thrifting

Excellent Cole Haan Shoes/Sandals for $3.00

Decorating With Craigslist

Any savvy decorator on a budget knows about Craigslist. Craigslist is a global website where people list things to sell locally. You can search your state's region or major city for new, used, or antique furniture, cars, housewares, even items offered for free. There are three things you need to know about Craigslist.

1. Check the website for new listings every day. The good stuff goes fast.



2. Keep an open mind, but have a general idea of what you're looking for. If you need a table for your hallway, know the dimensions and the type of piece that will fit. Then wait and see what pops up.



3. Move fast. If you see an item you like, the dimensions match up, and it fits in nicely with your budget, DON'T HESITATE. Contact the seller immediately and commit to come at their earliest convenience. Sellers who offer items cheap really just want it gone.

Below you will find just two examples of items I have purchased on Craigslist:

Brown Leather Couch with Nail Heads: $275

Mahogany Octagonal Pedestal Table: $35

Decorating doesn't need to desecrate your savings. To search Craigslist for your local listings now, click http://www.craigslist.org/

Name Brand for Nil

Second hand Gymboree and gently used Ralph Lauren clothing costs next to nothing at a thrift store. But these items don't just drop in your lap. To shop for your kids clothes, first of all, you have to GO to the thrift store. Salvation Army where I live has a "Family Day." On this one day of the week, all but one tag color is half price. If you're new to thrifting, Salvation Army tags their items with a different color every day of the week. Example: White on Saturday, Blue on Monday, Pink on Tuesday, etc. When you arrive at the store, look around, there should be signs clearly posting the tag colors on sale and the one color that is still full price. I have found Hanna Andersson Dresses in perfect condition for $3.00. On "Family Day" that dress costs me $1.50. If you don't know what day your store has the sale, just ask. Once you know where your thrift stores are and you know the best day to shop, ARRIVE AT OPENING. These are popular shopping days. Leave the kids with your mom or bring entertainment (books, toys, etc) because clothing racks can become boring to them. If you don't have all your children with you, know their shoe sizes or bring an outline of their feet. Don't be afraid to buy larger sizes. If you buy one to three sizes up, the clothing will still be in style and you'll save a fortune. It also takes awhile to assemble a complete wardrobe in a single size. It's nearly impossible to show up to a thrift store needing a certain item in a certain size - and find it. Clothing your children with items from a thrift store requires commitment. This commitment comes with a wealth of rewards. The first time you walk in and find a brand new Gymboree outfit for $2, I guarantee you'll be hooked.

Work at Home Mom

Many educated, capable women who have become mothers fantasize about finding the perfect Work at Home Job. There are hundreds of offers out there trying to cash in on this desperate yearning for earning. Most are fraudulent. It is my opinion that many women would benefit from a reformation of attitude. As CEOs of the home, women have the unique freedom and opportunity to SAVE a lot of money. My paternal grandmother tirelessly beat into my brain the phrase, "A penny saved is a penny earned." The concept of saving money is not new. It's as old as humans. However, to save money - a LOT of money - is a full time job. It can be done at the grocery store, at clothing stores, in the home, everywhere. Some may try to capitalize on the environmental movement and call this "Green" thinking. Yes, it is helpful to the environment to reduce, reuse, and recycle. You can pat yourself on the back if you do the things I am going to suggest. However, if we're honest, most of us will admit what kind of "Green" really motivates us. We want to make money, save money, and live better lives.

I never spend money on children's clothing and I have four small kids to clothe and shoe. I have cut my grocery bill in half. I choose very carefully which items I will purchase and I extend the life of the items I do buy. Essentially, by adding up the money I DON'T SPEND, I do actually make a very good income. And I do it all with my children in tow.

Cake

There once was a girl who married a boy named Peters. The girl used to sleep in on Saturdays with her sweetheart, the boy named Peters. They would enjoy their coffee and their relationship together on quiet, sophistocated mornings. The boy and the girl decided to have children. Their lives were changed vertically, horizontally, consumately, and irreversably. Forever.

Our heroine began finding herself fantasizing about sleep, clear eyes absent of bloodshot, and a single, miniscule moment of peace.

After jolting nights interrupted with brain-piercing wailing, she would awaken to a tiny two year old face watching her intently. The sweet little cherub two inches from her nose would demand (at six in the morning), "I want cake."
"Honey, we don't have any cake."
"I want pie."
"We don't have any pie, and even if we did, you can't have it for breakfast!"
"I want cookies."
Oh, it's hopeless. "How about Cocoa Puffs?"
The darling little angel turned his mouth upside down into a miniature pout. His expression said, "FINE. I suppose that will have to do."

Ahhh. What A Life!