2012: The Year In Review

I'd like to start this off by saying Thank You.  To YOU, my blog reader.  You have made my life so much more fun in 2012.  Thanks for allowing me the privilege and opportunity of posting my exciting frugal finds.  Your positive feedback and fun observations have made it a thrilling experience.  Claire and I would still thrift, but being able to share is the thick, sugary icing on the cake..........and boy, do I love that :)  It was also a thrill to be able to talk to you in person, and have you comment on my posts.  Several of you sweet ladies have made comments about scarves, especially at the Secret Sister Reveal party.  My precious friend Kathy even bought me two gorgeous scarves for Christmas because of my posts.  That's win all the way around.

I'm a positive person.  I'm a 'glass half full' person.  9 times out of 10, I will work my darndest to turn a bad situation into a good one.  It MAY be the way I was raised, but it may also be in my DNA. 

That being said, I have, for the most part, tried desperately to post only the good stuff in 2012.  Try is the key word.  Sometimes I sadly failed.  Sometimes something hurt me so badly, I posted it anyway.  Mostly on Facebook, which then made me feel even worse because I felt like a teenage girl.  It was nice to get the love and support from various friends when I did, but I always felt guilty afterward, like I was lolling in 'attention-getting,' and geez, how I hate that.  LOOK AT ME!!!  I'M TICKED OFF!!  SOMEONE SAID SOMETHING TO RUIN MY DAY!!!  Oh, the internet.

Lots of you are saying this weekend, '2012, good riddance.  What a lousy year.'  Well............right there with you.

2012 ranks up (down?) there as one of the most trying for me and my family.  When I think of hard years, I will lump 2012, the years of my divorce and my father's passing all together.  No one in my immediate family got cancer or lupus, but we had hard times nonetheless.  Finances and work culminated in difficulties that drove me to my knees over and over.  September in particular was a month I had a running 'whine' thing going on with God.  My car rides were spent crying out to Him, asking for understanding and trying very hard not to be blasphemous in my anger.  

What possible good could come from a year like this?  Deep patience.  Deep gratefulness.  I became grateful for every single good thing that happened to my family and I, no matter how small.  I got stronger, and so did our marriage.   I am wiser financially than I have ever been before.  Things will definitely be streamlined and different in 2013.

I covered all my bases.........I tied up loose ends and did all I could for my relationships in 2012.  Unfortunately, more often than not, I was the one doing all the work.  That ends with the old year.  No amount of fruitless exhaustion and heartache justifies one sided effort.   Stepping back and taking a break emotionally is spiritual and just what needs to be done.

 

In conclusion, I'm looking forward to 2013.  It's going to be a fun year, as Claire and I expand on what we know and are still learning regarding frugal shopping and mindful fashion.  Thanks for reading and commenting!  We value your input! 

DIY Diva: Anne Klein Shooz

So much of what I've bought second hand is perfect, right out of the store.  No alterations, stain removal, etc.  It's kind of a surprise when I buy something that needs a bit of help.  No worries though..........I paid next to nothing for the item, so why not go all 'Bill Nye' (THE BALLET SLIPPERS OF SCIENCE!!!!) and see if I can restore them to their former lustre?

Case in point: these fabulous Anne Klein shoes.  My size, soooo comfortable, and really pretty..........zebra striped velvet with gold buckles.  Yeah, those buckles needed a little help.

They were pretty scratched up, but at $3.29, they were still worth it........the pros definitely outweighed the cons.  At first, I thought, 'the scratches aren't bad, I'll wear them anyway.'  And I did, and no one was the wiser.  The scratches started to bug me, though.  Faster than you could say, 'I smell wood burning,' I tried a little DIY remedy.

I had some gold nail polish that was a little garish for me, but I'd hung onto it.  Since I only wear these shoes in fair, dry weather, I thought I'd put a couple layers of the polish on the buckles and see what happened.  I allowed LOTS of drying time.........like a week.  Two layers were good, as the first was nice but didn't cover the scratches.  The second layer did the trick, but then I had some matte gold buckles.  Hmmm........why not put a clear top layer of polish over it all?

The result?  I am thrilled with them now.  So pretty and no one will know..........well, YOU will when you see me wear them! 

That's perfectly ok with me :)

Bangin' Bangle Friday: Apocalypse Edition

Nope, still here............guess I need to write a post!

You girls who wear silver jewelry?  You're so darn lucky.  It's easy to find inexpensive stuff that LOOKS expensive.  I'm not too proud to admit I'm jealous of you guys.  My daughter is just one of the lucky ladies who can rock the silver and look fabulous.  She tells me all the time I look good in it too............but she's just being nice.  Unless I have gold mixed with silver, the result is the same as when I wear black or grey next to my face: Walking Dead: The Pasty Blonde Girl.

I've told you I 'stalk' stuff at the store.........watching items for weeks until they get marked down enough to justify a purchase along with my milk and bread.  Well, sometimes I stalk things because..........well, I'm drawn to them and I'm just not sure they're right for me.

Case in point: today's bangin' bangle is a silver cz bracelet.  Super SUPER sparkly.  Like a moth to a flame, I am forever drawn to the bling.  This pretty little thing was on the clearance rack at Kohl's.  I saw it, admired it, put it back.........but couldn't get it out of my mind.  Boy, was it pretty.  I continued to think of it, and visit it every so often.  Yes, it was still there on the clearance rack.  Yes, it was marked down a great deal.  Yes, it was SILVER.  I knew it would look poopy by itself on me, no matter how sparkly it was.  Sigh.

Finally, I had a little talk with myself.  I stack my bangles; why not stack the silver with the gold?  I had several prime candidates for stacking already.........this wouldn't necessitate another purchase on my part (thus negating the clearance price).  Plus, it would look lovely with my gold watch.  Just get the silly thing already, Erin!!

I've not regretted this purchase one bit.  It always looks lovely with my gold.  I just wish I could remember how much I paid for it!  I know it was probably about $5.........not bad for an originally expensive bangle!

HGTV, Whiners, The Property Brothers and Style Mags.............

In other words....BRAIN SPILL!!  RABBIT TRAILS!!

Claire and I love to watch HGTV together.  Our favorite shows are The Property Brothers, Income Property, and House Hunters.  The first two shows deal with total rehab of properties.  The men who star have fabulous vision and can remake ANYTHING into a dream home.

The people they have to deal with, on the other hand, are usually entitled, whiny spoiled brats.  They want everything on very little money.  There is a great deal of complaining when they realize their limited budgets don't pay for 'move in ready' homes, and they constantly bristle when they are shown 'fixer ups' that can be rehabbed into the home of their dreams.  In the end, the good guys prevail and the whiners are often left speechless. 

It makes for fabulous reality TV, in my humble opinion.

I honestly can't relate to the whiners.  I have spent my life seeing the possibilities in everything.  Don't tell me something can't be done!  That just makes me buckle down and work harder!

When I was a teenager, 'The Preppy Handbook' was big.  I didn't have a lot of money, but I could sure buy fabulous fakes that looked as good as the real thing Muffy and Kip sported.  When my first husband and I looked for our first house, we saw CRAP, plain and simple.  I got tired of gasping at grime, but we looked past it and redid a tiny 900 sq ft fixer into a very nice home.

Now.............what the heck does all this have to do with frugal fashion?  I TOLD you it was brain spill and rabbits trails!!

You should know by now that I am big into vision.  Seeing the possible in the impossible.  You can apply this to every area of life, and be enriched as a result.

I love to read fashion magazines.  I actually have a subscription to 'In Style,' but it's fun to go to the library and read them, too.  I had a couple I hadn't cracked open yet yesterday, so I took them with me to Claire's first PT visit. 

At first glance, reading fashion magazines seems like an odd pastime for someone looking to save money.  Oodles of pictures of thousand dollar plus purses and shoes, red carpet gowns and sky's the limit jewels...........how does that fall into the category of Goodwill goodies?

If I didn't peruse a fashion magazine periodically, I wouldn't know what the latest styles are, so when I DID shop at thrift stores, I wouldn't have the vision for what I saw there.  Claire wouldn't have had the good luck she has had with the formals we've found, because I wouldn't know what's current.  Likewise second hand purses, shoes, etc.  This is also my reason for subscribing to numerous fashion blogs.  I don't always have the time to look at them, but when I do, I learn a lot.  I don't say, 'UGH!  That's a CHANEL purse, that doesn't apply to me!'  I DO say (when shopping at Goodwill), 'look at that purse!  It looks JUST like a CHANEL!'

 

Checking out the fashions is a marvelous way to spend my time in the waiting room..........and it pays dividends later.

A Cheap Answer for Good Hair Days

I have funky hair.  It's not made any easier to deal with when I color it regularly.  Doesn't matter if it's au naturel or at it's blonde finest..........it's frizzy and weird looking.  I have tangled with it for years.  The advent of flat iron straighteners has made a huge improvement in my hair's appearance, but it's still touch and go.  Nine times out of 10, I believe my 'bad hair' days outweigh the good.

Of course, I could shave it all off.  I'm not to that point in my life yet............the voices in my head haven't weighed in on the 'shave' option.

 

One day, while shopping for toiletries, I stumbled across this obscure tube of Suave Anti-Frizz cream.  At only $3 plus, it was hardly a splurge, so I decided to try it.  Why not?  I've tried just about EVERY anti-frizz product on the planet............what's one more?

 

I can HIGHLY recommend this product!  Applied to dry hair before styling with a flat iron or curling iron, it makes my hair BEHAVE.  It doesn't have to be freshly washed hair, either............I use this every day in between shampoos, and I LOVE the results.  No more bush, no more frizz..........just obedient hair that does exactly what it's supposed to!

 

It's a pleasure to be able to recommend something, rather than complain one more time about another tube of gunk that will grow cobwebs underneath my bathroom sink :)

Bangin' Bangle Friday: Brassy Blonde Edition

 

You know I love my brass bangles!  Just went to Plato's yesterday to sell some stuff and found these beauties.   For $7 total, I got 10 bracelets, but these 3 were the the pick of the bracelet litter!

As you probably already guessed, these puppies were 'poop' colored, desperately in need of my magic brass polish.  They made me work for their shine, too!  That intricate design made it extremely difficult to get all the black off, especially on the big bracelet, so I just left a bit there and it actually make it look prettier.........defining the flowers.

An added bonus?  These are smaller bangles that fit my freakishly small wrists.  Win all over the place.

Fabulous Fakes Vs. Outrageous Reals

Reals.  Is that even a word?  Maybe, like in 'for reals.'  Today however, it pretty much describes my blog post.

My Facebook status bragged about a salesclerk who mistook my Meijer ring ($10 but bought for $8 with Brendan's discount) for a Lia Sophia look alike.  Wow, I love when that happens.

When I came home, I sat down at the computer and looked up Lia Sophia rings.  Gulp.

On average, they run about $88.

 

Lia Sophia ring.  Pretty, but is it worth a couple tanks of gas for my Honda?

 

 

My $8 Meijer knock off.  I love it even more now :)

 

I gotta give big props to Meijer.  When you hit a sale, their stuff is spectacular.  When ours first opened, I got a really nice, big orange purse.  People thought it was a designer bag.    Their jewelry is fab, and so are their clothes.  Plus, it's cool to run in for a loaf of bread and find a beautiful ring, too.

An Addendum For 12/12/12

A few caveats for selling your stuff.............

DON'T EVER, EVER SELL YOUR PURSES!!  These suckers come back into style within a few years, and when they do and you remember you sold the ones that would look perfect today........well, you think about it a lot, especially when you're trying to drift off to sleep.  How do I know?  I'm still kicking myself over reselling that cute but edgy black clutch with the brass buckles that would go with so many things now. 

As for jewelry, it's a bit trickier.   For instance, if you have a pair of earrings, and you're thinking of reselling them, ask yourself why.  Is it because they just don't go with anything you own, but you otherwise like them?   Hold onto those babies!  You never know when they will be the perfect complement to an outfit you don't own yet!  If you're considering reselling them because 1.) they don't hang right 2.) they hurt 3.) they bug you..........then resell them.  If every time you put them on and they just don't 'feel' right, then YOU'RE right to resell them.  Rings, bracelets, necklaces.........if they're just a bit 'off,' no amount of holding onto them will change that.

Also remember than barely used items make excellent gifts.  I always save the cardboard and plastic backs for jewelry, and put together my own gift sets.  There have been so many times that some piece of jewelry that wasn't right for me turns out to be a very special gift for a friend or family member.  However, this is only for items I have bought myself.  I don't regift!

Finally........what if you follow these guidelines and you still regret reselling a purchase?  If it just won't quit beating you up in your mind, write it on a list somewhere so you can be on the look out for a replacement, or ask for one as a gift.  At any rate, hastily getting rid of something you were better off keeping makes you a VERY smart shopper and reseller!  Hey, what is life if not one big opportunity for learning and personal growth?

'Tis The Season........To Sell Your STUFF!!!

You already know Claire and I are big thrift and resale shoppers.   That's only one side of our consumer experience, though.  We also love to resell our unneeded items whenever possible!

Ideally, we donate back to Goodwill.  We itemize every single thing and keep track for our tax returns.  Believe it or not, we donate enough back that it does make a difference, and it's well worth the extra book keeping.

We try to keep our clothing in as nice a condition as possible.  Not only so we can always look (or try to look, LOL) our best,  but also so we can resell our items at a consignment store.

Sometimes, even though we're so careful when we shop, we do find ourselves with a surplus we can't use.  Or, something never fit quite right, so it sat, unloved, in the back of our closets for a while (sniff).  It doesn't matter if it's a fancy designer purse or pair of shoes........if it doesn't fit, no amount of bragging rights will change that!

For the nicer, name brand and designer items we no longer wear or need, we pack them all up and take them to Plato's Closet, a popular resale store in Westerville.  If our items are in demand and just what they want to sell, we get top dollar.  BAM!!  Gas or Christmas money on the spot!

Plato's is a 'young adult' store, so they cater to the teenagers who buy Hollister and Pink items.  If you're a career gal or older (like me), Closet Mentor is more your speed.  Both stores stock beautiful purses and jewelry too.

Sometimes we bring our stuff in, and they can't use any of it.  Hey, it happens.  They only buy what they're selling, so they have to be super picky.  That's the upside if you're buying, but can be a bummer if you're selling.  The last few times I've brought things in to sell, they've taken almost 99%!!  We must be getting better at reading their minds, evidently. 

I am in the process of getting together another laundry basket full of goodies to take into Plato's sometime this week.  I need to supplement the Christmas money, and this is a great way to do it.  While I'm there, I'll peruse the aisles and check out the many, often one of a kind items they have for sale.  In the past, I have gotten absolutely gorgeous jewelry, on trend shoes, and fabulous purses for amazing prices.  When Claire was big into PINK hoodies, an often $45 item, Plato's sold almost new PINK hoodies for $12.  So cool.  We've also gotten formals there, for as little as $5.  You just never know what you're going to find, and like a thrift store, that's part of the fun.

So..........is your closet bursting and your wallet busted?  Go gather some stuff and hopefully sell it!  Maybe I'll see you there :)

Bangin' Bangle Friday 12/7

I'm all about the flashy bling (I AM my mother's daughter!) but there's also a time and place for the understated and elegant.  Today is one of those days!

Behold, the Forever 21 gold cz bangle.  Timeless and goes with everything.........you can wear it to a wedding, or to work with your favorite watch.  It's smashing on it's own, or HOLDING it's own in the midst of some serious arm candy.

 

Michael got this for me for Christmas several years ago, and true to Forever 21's fabulous 'gold' on their accessories, it looks as beautiful as the day I got it.  I believe it cost all of $5.80.  I have my clothing, jewelry and shoes on a 'performance based review' schedule, where I regularly look through my stuff and see what I need to keep or what needs to be donated/resold.

 

This will forever be in the 'keep' pile :)

 

Goodwill Gold

I love when we strike it rich at a thrift shop.

I posted several blogs ago about how we'd already gotten Claire's winter dance dress.  Kinda fell into it at Toujours here in Delaware, on the clearance rack for $8.  HOWEVER, I'm not posting pics of it until she wears it.  Patience, my pretties.

I WILL, however, post pictures of the fabulous accessory for the dress.  Last night, on a Goodwill run, I found this BRAND NEW WITH TAGS satin clutch,  in grey with rhinestones.  Marked down by it's original store for the bargain price of $22.90, I got it for $4.99. 

Friends, this is 'Goodwill Gold.'  It DOES exist (unlike Narwals);  you just need patience.  You also need an open mind, as I ran into Goodwill last night NOT for a grey satin clutch, but for a new everyday purse for my mother in law.  Hers is about ready to fall apart, and she loves bargains just like I do, so I thought I'd find her a new one.  Well, not that trip.

Unlike shopping at the mall, you can't run into a thrift store and get exactly what you're looking for.  Ok, maybe 1 time out of 10 you can, but usually you find something else that you've been looking for.   I'm sure you will agree that THIS purchase is breathtaking.  Plus, it's brand new.

 

Let's keep a 'winter dance ensemble' tally, shall we?  Dress for $8.  Purse for $5.  Marvelous heels (also from Goodwill) $3.29.  I think we'll have to take the dress to Lucinda's, but if it's going to be $35 for alterations...........yeah, we'll come out on top.

And Claire will shine :)

Thrifting Worst Case Scenarios

Glass Artwork Made From Cremated Human Remains Unknowingly Purchased By Utah Thrift Store Customer (PHOTO)

 

This is NOT a normal occurrence, folks!

 

Like anything, weird stuff happens.  You get a frog in your french fries.   Or, your latest thrift store score is made from cremated human remains.

 

Did you see the story earlier this week?  About the picture purchased at a thrift store that turned out to be a valuable lithograph?  It resold at auction for $9,000.  To me, that's as newsworthy as the former story.  Both ends of the spectrum, of course.

 

Bad thrifting stories are what people who are looking for an excuse NOT to thrift hang onto to wave in my face.  I agree, bad stuff happens to good people, blahblahblah.

 

I've been thrifting a very long time though, and the good stuff definitely outweighs the bad.   Seriously, do you think I'd take my kiddo thrift shopping for formal after formal if it weren't an overwhelmingly positive experience?  No matter what you've heard on the street, I am NOT that heartless of a parent.

 

I could tell you of the times I've bought something at a thrift store that turned out to be nasty.  I'd rather tell you of the times like last winter, when Claire was getting ready to go to her friend's  homecoming and her dress didn't fit.  An hour before.  So, we said a prayer and headed to Goodwill, because we were nowhere near a store selling prom dresses.  Guess what? Pulled a newly cleaned formal dress off the rack that fit Claire and cost $5, and made it on time.  I love the pictures of that evening, because it's a testament to God's grace and provision.

 

Look;  if you don't wanna thrift, no amount of my happy stories are going to change that.  Some people just can't get past the idea of used clothing.  I get it, I have my stuff too.  Please don't ask me eat liver.  Ever.

 

I'm also not a fan of pears or figs, but I won't rain on your parade while you devour them in my presence and exclaim over their deliciousness.  Same for thrifting: don't make snarky comments about my resale goodies when I'm showing them off.  We can all coexist without being carbon copies of each other, and be happy for each other's different interests.

 

However, if you're looking to thrift and you want back up...........I'm your girl.  Even with only an hour to spare.

 

 

 

Hardships? Or Priorities? Not Judgin', Just Sayin'

Aunt Erin is taking over this blog today, and she's tired of your whining.

Just a head's up if you were expecting light hearted frugal fashion pointers.

I drove Claire to school today, for a special choir practice.  We drive past the Common Ground Free Store here in Delaware, which is just what the name implies.  They provide free goods and food for lower income families here in town.  On the days they're open, I swear that line forming outside gets longer every time :(

So, I drove Claire to school driving past the Free Store both times, and came home to check my Facebook. 

Thankfully, most of my FB friends are very grateful people.  They are right there with being vocal about their blessings.  I've gotten rid of folks who did nothing but complain and throw negativity around, especially in their postings on my page.  I don't need it!  FB should be fun and life is hard enough!!

Unfortunately, every now and then, someone complains about not having enough money for groceries.  Or gas.  Or things for their kids.  Or worrying about paying for Christmas.  Job difficulties.  Medical expenses.

These are all legitimate complaints.  The economy blows and it's not getting any better.  The term 'Fiscal Cliff' isn't just the catch phrase of the day.  It's a reality if our elected officials can't get their stuff together.

So, what do you do when you encounter tough times?  You tighten that belt and deal with it.  You give up something in order to have Christmas for your kids.  That's what successful people throughout time have done.  Someday things will be better, and then YOU can have your Christmas.

I wish I saw more of this. 

What I DO see is people on one hand complaining about not having enough money, and then on the other other hand gushing about their Caribbean vacation they're about to take.  Or their brand new, expensive car.  Their fabulous new cell phone with all the bells and whistles.    The 'shop 'til you drop' trip they just took to the outlet stores.  The $100 per ticket concert they're going to.

It's not a question of lack of money.  It's priorities.

If you have the money to eat out every night, but are nickel and dimeing yourself in other areas, don't say money's tight.  Say eating out is your priority.  Paying for medical insurance isn't.

If you buy your 1 year old designer sneakers that rival in price an adult's, yet are breaking open the kid's piggy bank to count pennies for diapers............um, yeah.  Please don't say I need to explain that one to you.

Those people in line at the Free Store aren't there for the designer purses inside.  They are there for the packs of underwear and socks for their kids, or the warm coats and mittens so they won't freeze on the way to school.  They aren't in line talking about that trip to Disney they're taking in the spring.

From a personal standpoint, I can speak from experience on the broad spectrum of family finances.  I have been wealthy, and I have had very little.

Not all wealthy people take their material blessings for granted, but I know it's very easy to do.  You get used to having enough grocery, gas and car insurance money, and having a job that provides medical insurance, so you start to view other things  as necessities, like your kids' extracurricular activities, eating out, vacations, presents, and going to the gym.  You don't think twice about dropping $100 on a flat iron or a George Foreman Grill.  When all your needs and more are being taking care of, it's easy to lose focus and realize how blessed you really are.

When you have almost nothing, you start to develop a keen sense of what's truly important in life.  You get creative, or you do without.  You realize that a $10 pair of earrings is equal to a trip to the grocery store for milk, bread and toilet paper.  $10 can buy medicine for your kiddo, or it can buy lottery tickets.  $10 can pay for a surprising amount of toys at Goodwill, for a child who might not otherwise have a Christmas or birthday celebration.  $10 can buy lunch for 2 at Mcdonald's.........or it can buy a week's worth of fresh produce (on sale, of course) to supplement an all too often dinner of boxed mac and cheese.

As hard as it is to do without, I'm grateful for the experience.  It really opens your eyes and clarifies what you classify as 'wants' and 'needs.'  It makes you work harder and be truly grateful when the good stuff comes your way.   Having less means you value it more.  You may not be able to have an evening for 4 at the neighborhood multiplex, complete with $50 in snacks, but you can enjoy a movie at home with popcorn and ice cream floats...........and you're not fighting the traffic and crowds.

This December, give yourself the gift of viewing your blessings with fresh eyes.  You don't need to be standing in line at the Free Store to do it.

Bangin' Bangle Friday 11/30

WHOO HOOOO!!!  It's the last day of November 2012!!

Seeing it's the Christmas season (and has been since July, lol), we are inundated by jewelry store commercials.  Pity the poor husband/boyfriend/fiance who screws up and buys his woman something practical for Christmas.  How will he live with the shame?

Pandora bracelets, in particular, are being shoved down our collective throats.  You can't turn on the t.v., listen to the radio, or even drive down the street without seeing an ad for Pandora, or their many imitators.  My husband even knew what a Pandora bracelet was several years ago.........proof those advertisers are getting their money's worth.

I can't remember when I started being interested in a Pandora bracelet.   They have such a huge variety of beads, so the bracelets you can make are endless.  Some beads are just plain ugly, but others are beautiful.  You have your choice of several kinds of bracelets on which to display your beads, too.  Yay for originality and not wearing your neighbor's choices!

Well, for me, the excitement stopped there.  Pandora beads start at $20.  With an average of 30 beads per bracelet, not to mention the bracelet itself, you're looking at a start up investment of (gulp) $600.  FOR THE BEADS.  Makes you look twice at that lady next to you at the BMV with the armful, doesn't it?

I had pretty much forgotten ever having a Pandora bracelet, until one day when I was window shopping in the craft department at Walmart.  Low and behold, they had their own brand of beads.  $5.99 for a set of 5, and they were in lots of colors.  I decided to get a few sets and see if I could make my own.  I had also found a bead supplier online in Singapore with pretty silver and gold beads for minimal shipping.  To be honest, I don't remember how much those beads were.......but they were cheap enough that I could order them and still buy toothpaste.

From the same supplier, I had ordered a sterling silver snake chain for the charms.  Only problem?  The clasp was a gigantic, royal, pain in the bum.  I can't begin to describe to you how I had to manuver to clasp it, and then I couldn't even do it myself............either Michael or Claire got enlisted to help.

Because the bracelet was inconvenient to wear, it sat for a couple years in my jewelry, unworn.  I fondled it every once in a while, heaved a sigh and put it back, wishing I could rescue it from the depths of the jewelry dungeon.

Then one day, I wondered if I could string the beads on the same synthetic cord I used for my other beaded bracelets.  Guess what?  It worked perfectly, and I now have another bracelet the right length to wear all year round.........even with my fleece at work during the winter.

I have to add: I don't wear the bracelet to make everyone think I'm a rich 'lady who lunches.'  I wear it because it's beautiful and it makes me happy.  That's the same criteria I use for everything I wear.  I wouldn't want someone to think I'm all about the label and prestige.  Besides, they don't have to look too far.........past my bracelet and onto my 10 year old Honda with the dog slobber on the windows........to realize I'm a pretty down to earth, low maintainence gal.

 

Although I bought my beads at Walmart, I have since found that Meijer and Hobby Lobby also have their own brand and selection.  I'm sure Michael's and JoAnn's must too, although I haven't checked to confirm this.

So, GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!!  You can have a pretty 'Pandora-esque' bracelet too..........for far less than those advertised stores.  Take back your holidays, ladies!  Here's to sparkly arm bling AND money left over for Christmas dinner :)

Living Beneath Your Means: Or, I Didn't Win the Powerball

All the talk yesterday was about that stupid lottery.  So much so, my husband and I did something we have never done in our marriage (and I've never done AT ALL)...........we bought Powerball tickets.

Guess who didn't win?  C'mon, just guess :X

A very large part of me thinks we deserved to lose.  What kind of person buys lottery tickets?  Yeah, I USED to be that judgmental.

Anyway, we had a good time talking about what we'd do with the money.  Christmas 2012 would blow the socks off everyone.  We'd pretty much never have a financial problem ever again, and neither would our children and our parents.

Today it's back to reality! We're still the same people we were yesterday, with the same finanicial constraints..........and a new noise in my brakes that is demanding my husband's attention.  Sigh.

There were a lot of stories online yesterday about people who had been previous lottery winners.  Some made the mistake of spending it all very fast, and ending up more broke than before.  Several were extremely wise........they paid off college loans, mortgages and invested the rest.  Good for them.  Unfortunately, human nature in all it's finest makes most people react like the former.

Like eating right and exercising, wise money management takes self discipline.  What does the average person do when presented with an overflowing buffet?  They eat themselves into a coma.  What do they do when presented with a ton of money?  Same thing, only a financial coma lasts a lot longer.

If we could just stop a second, we could take a deep breath and think through what we really need.  You're starving to death and you're at Golden Corral.  Instead of diving into several platefuls of bountiful carbs x infinity, stop and survey the food selection.  What are you really hungry for?  What will fill you up without making you hate yourself in 15 min?  I'm not saying don't top your meal off with the sumptuous carrot cake and vanilla ice cream.  What point is there to go out to eat if you're not going to have dessert?  Just don't make that 3/4ths of your meal. 

If you won the lottery, by all means, go to the mall and get that designer purse.  Enjoy a brand new car without brake issues.  Take that vacation you'd wanted to go on since 1986.  Pay off your child's college loans so they don't have to put THEIR dreams on hold.  Those 'splurges' will make you feel good and pay off for years (well, provided no one steals your purse!).  On the other hand, if you take ALL your winnings and spend every single day blowing it on material crap you'll regret soon after receiving..........you may never recover, and life is too doggone short to have regrets like that. 

For the rest of us poor blokes who didn't win the Powerball, put on your big kid pants and listen up: most of us WON'T win the lottery.  Most of us won't get a windfall beyond our wildest dreams.  We won't have Oprah swoop in and buy us a car.  Our kids won't become famous and buy us a house.  In Italy.

So, back to reality.  How do you deal with real life and the everyday stuff you have to buy?  Live within your means.  Or, live beneath them.  Save as much money as you can.  Don't make that much money, or live paycheck to paycheck? Well, guess what?  You're gonna have to slash something.   You may have to put to put the kabosh on eating out.  That satellite package may become basic cable, or no cable at all.  You may have to make more food from scratch, wear your clothing until it falls apart, and rely on free entertainment rather than vacations to distant shores.  It's called responsible financial planning, and it sure isn't fun, but it's what makes some people come out ahead, while others are still at the starting line, wondering what they're doing wrong while driving around in a circle.

I'm talking to myself as much as anyone else.  I have to rein it in constantly.  Believe it or not, I have to watch the amount of times I visit Goodwill.  If I'm not careful, there goes the grocery and the Christmas money.  You just can't let stuff slide.  Once in a while you can say, 'I've had a bad day, I need a Big Mac,' but not every day.

So, let's be adults out there, people.  Let's pay our bills on time and forgo Florida for Spring Break this year.  When YOUR brakes make funny noises, you'll be glad you did.

Adapting My Bling For The Winter

It happens.  Birds fly south for the winter.  Retirees also head south.   We winterize our cars and boats, and swap out warm weather wardrobes for fleecies and flannels.   I have the added step of winterizing my work jewelry.

One of the least attractive aspects of my work life is my work wardrobe.  Roush has a dress code of black shirts/sweatshirts for it's employees.  I look like an extra in 'The Walking Dead' when I wear black, so this presents certain fashion challenges.  I don't have to look runway ready for work, but I DO like to look presentable........and not scare small children.

To that end, when I started working here, I began collecting my scarf wardrobe, with colors that highlight my skin tone.  Draped next to my face, I look almost human :).  Add in a nice pair of earrings, rings, my watch and (of course) bracelets, and I've been mistaken for Mrs. Roush several times.  I like to balance out the testosterone in this joint!

When the cold weather hits,  my short sleeved t-shirts don't cut it anymore.  It gets pretty cold here in the shop, so I don my black fleece zip up jacket.  Looks great with my scarves..........but my bangles?  Not so much.  They get lost and bug me when they catch on my long sleeves.

WHAT??!!  NO BANGLES UNTIL SPRING??!!  What a horrible thought!  I gotta have some arm candy to spice this place up!  I have collected some especially nice bangles in the last year............I can wear them other places this winter, but not to work :(

 

Beaded bracelets to the rescue!  They happen to fall at the right place on my wrist, so they peek out just over my sleeve and don't have to wrestle it for attention.

This is my latest creation.  They have these marbled beads in just about every color at Meijer, so I may have quite the rainbow for my winter bracelet wardrobe soon!

And if you have to dig me out of a 7 foot snowdrift?   My skin may be blue, but my bracelets will always be appropriate :)

Frugal Fashionista Bookshelf: 'The One Hundred'

I have never watched 'Project Runway,' but I know it has it's devotees.  My reality television leans toward anything starring Drew and Jonathan Scott on HGTV.  I love watching them buy real estate and then tear it apart, but I know there are some of you who would rather watch aspiring clothing designers get torn apart :)

Nina Garcia is a judge on 'Project Runway,' and she was also the fashion director at Marie Claire.  She has written several fashion books, the most recent being 'The 100.'  If anyone is going to write on what 100 pieces most fashionable women should have in their wardrobes, I guess it would be someone with Ms. Garcia's credentials.

I borrowed this from the library, and I honestly wouldn't recommend buying it.  It's a fun book to have in the bathroom (AKA my reading room) and peruse at your leisure, but once you're done with it, unless you had some burning question that sent you back to the library to check it out again, a once through is probably enough for most of us.

Some things Nina lists, I wholehearted agree I must have.  Ballet flats? Yes, definitely.  Animal print?  In as many things as possible.  Pencil skirt and Spanx?  Yeah, and probably worn together!  It was nice to see that my burning desire for Frye Harness boots was validated (but alas, unless I find them resale, that over $200 price tag will sadly prevent me from ever owning them).  Also fabulous that my love of old concert tees are a fashion must.  I loved that she included 'Mad Money,' in an amount of $50, to be slipped in a discreet pocket of your handbag and used when you find that perfect vintage piece and the store doesn't take a debit or credit card.  Unfortunately, on Planet Erin (where reality crashes down with a bang regularly) that $50 would be gobbled up at the grocery store before you could say, 'what vintage find?'

I was particularly interested in what she had say regarding hoop earrings.  She went into detail about how the thinner versions looked more luxe and expensive.  That eliminated any more hoop earring purchases that didn't look quite 'right.'  It's possible to buy a $5 pair of hoop earrings at Walmart and have them look pricey, now that I've read Nina's advice.

I would say about half the items Nina lists are good to have on hand.  There are others which are a bit pretentious, but then, she IS on the forefront of cutting edge fashion.  I think I can still die happy if I never have a Pucci blouse, a caftan or good champagne.  At my age, I have lived a perfectly good life without fishnets.  Missoni knits?  Meh.  I WOULD like an investment bag, but as I've said before, unless that Louis Vuitton tote bag shows up at Goodwill, it, like the Frye boots, will remain a far away dream.

 

'The 100' is a good book to check out at the library.  Those of you who list a safari jacket and a valid passport as a must in life?  You might want to buy it :)

The Happy Medium

I'm not talking about people who can see the future.

All my life, or as long as I've been self aware, I've been striving for The Happy Medium.  I don't want to be rich, and I don't want to be poor.  I want to be content.  I want to have my needs taken care of.........that are truly NEEDS.  For the record, a Mercedes is not a need. 

This sounds harder than it is, at least sometimes.  I love to eat out, but most of the time, this isn't a reality in my family.  Eating out is truly a special occasion due to finances, but that's ok.  I had to really work on myself to realize eating out is NOT a need, no matter how much fun it is.  Feeding my body correctly and well is a need.

That being said, weigh in on this blog post today.  Given 3 choices, would you choose A, B, or C?

I'll tell you right now: C is the happy medium, the middle of the road.

Mr. A is a joy to be around.  He is fun, makes everyone happy just with his presence, and views life as one big event.   He tells great jokes, likes everyone and lives for social events.  He truly lives in the moment.  He's the one you want with you on a desert island.........or at least when the elevator breaks down.

Mr. A loves to shop.  He loves the best of everything.  Cologne, clothing, shoes, eating out.  He drives a really nice car.  He goes on fabulous vacations.  He gives excellent, expensive gifts, and if you should chide him, saying he spent too much, he will chide YOU and say, 'there is nothing better than spending on my loved ones.  Don't steal my joy!'  He doesn't give much thought to the future.  Which is a shame, because that's where he should be socking away some money for retirement, and paying off those credit card bills.  He talks a good game of financial planning though........in fact, he may even have a financial advisor.  God only knows how he must make that poor man wring his hands!

Mr. A's friends are wealthy people.  People who have saved for years and are now reaping the rewards.  Mr. A doesn't have any savings to speak of, but he wants to live like his wealthy friends, so he does.  They go abroad?  So does he.  They treat him to an expensive dinner out?  He does likewise.   The big difference, of course, is that Mr. A's wealthy friends have funds to cover these things.  Mr. A doesn't. 

In other words, Mr. A is a flaming meteor headed for the earth..........and he'll be partying the whole way.

On the other side of the coin?  Mr. B.  He is EXTREMELY frugal.  Mr. B isn't the first person you think of to invite to your party, because, well...........he's kind of a kill joy.  Mr. B rarely goes out to eat or buys anything for himself.  His true happiness comes from, you guessed it:  socking money away.  People view him as a scrooge or tightwad because he's not very flashy materially, and he may be socially challenged.  His bank ledger tells a different story, of course.  He has ample savings, no debt and has thoroughly thought out and taken care of his future.    Stuff that would make Mr. A's eyes glaze over..........like budgeting?  Well, that really excites Mr. B. 

Mr. B's door may very well be where Mr. A ends up, when that meteor crashes. 

Then there's me.  Good ol' Mr. (Ms.) C.  I like the finer things in life, but I also want to save money.  I like to have a good time, but I also don't go (and am not able to) on expensive vacations, buy at Saks and drive an expensive car.  Because I straddle the middle of the road (The Happy Medium) I'm not able to give my friends and family members really expensive presents, and I can't sock everything I make away in savings.

So, here's my question: what do YOU think is the best way to live?  I'd really love to hear your comments!

Bangin' Bangle Friday: 11/23

Hey there!  I'm posting this from the comfort of my home computer.  I'm in my jammies.  It's 3pm.  Yep, I'm a loaf but I'm lovin' it.  Hope all you hardcore 'Black Friday' folks found some fabulous deals!

Today's bangle comes courtesy of the Goodwill on the corner of Polaris and 23.  Just south of the Meijer, in the shopping center with the Halloween Store in the front corner.  Goodwill is just behind it.

 

This is the Goodwill to go to if you're in the market for great deals on designer purses and real gold.  They have numerous glass cases filled with goodies.  I've yet to find the Louis Vuitton of my dreams (I'm still looking!) but I did find this little number there in the jewelry case.

You know I love mixed metals.  I'm also a sucker for tri-colored gold.........yellow, white and rose.  This picture just doesn't do the bracelet justice.......it was so pretty it just about sprang out at me from the case!  When I asked to see it, I saw the tag that said '10K gold.'  Oh, my.  I'd not bought ANY real gold second hand at that time, so I had no idea what price point I was going to encounter.  The price?  $30.  Hardly a pittance in today's gold market, but a bit more than I like to spend on resale items.  At any rate, I bought it, and I've not regretted it one bit.  In fact, it's so pretty my mom didn't believe me when I told her I got it second hand!

Not every thrift store has the designer duds and genuine jewels.  This Goodwill gets all the goodies from donation stores all over Central Ohio.  If you're in the market for something truly special, check them out!!

In honor of Black Friday, this bracelet would have made an excellent gift too :)

Stefanie York: Gift Giver Extraordinaire

Last week, I posted a blog about being a good gift giver.  Today, I am giving you a living, breathing example.

My cousin David lives in Southern California, where I am from.  On September 11, 2011, he married the woman of his dreams, Salleye.   I have never met Salleye in person, but I am so grateful for Facebook, because now I can 'talk' to her, post birthday greetings on her wall, and view all her fabulous pictures of life with my cousin.  I love technology...........most of the time :)

Thanks to Stefanie York, a close friend of David and Salleye, the world got to enjoy beautiful wedding pictures.   Thanks to her posting them on FB, Stefanie and I started talking and became FB friends.  She is a warm, wonderful, beautiful lady, with a heart as big as California.  She will put a loved one's needs WAY before her own.  She is a fantastic gift giver, and she gets to know you and pays attention to what you like, so when she sees the perfect gift, she knows you'll love it.

Only a few months into our friendship, I received a beautiful sparkly silver shawl from Stefanie, 'just because.'  It's gorgeous and adorns Claire's curtains in her room.  At that early juncture in our friendship, Stefanie knew Claire and I appreciate sparkly bling!

Stefanie knows I love coffee!  She finds funny memes online and posts them to my FB page.  Yesterday I got a Starbucks gift card from her in the mail, and it made my day!  Starbucks is truly an indulgence for me, so getting to go there courtesy a good friend is a double win!

Claire also received a 'Stefanie package' yesterday.  Stefanie knows from Claire's pictures she loves fashion, so she sent Claire a beautiful infinity scarf (Claire has been wanting infinity scarves this year!) and two beautiful jeweled rings..........an owl and a turtle!  both are awesome!  Today Claire went off to school, all dressed up for her Thanksgiving lunch, in her scarf and owl ring.  I'm sure the compliments she'll receive will just reinforce that warm feeling that Stefanie thinks she's special enough to merit a 'just because' early Christmas gift.

Stefanie is the kind of friend I wish I lived next door to...........so I could run over and watch movies with her, in my jammies.  She always has a kind word and knows just what we need on our 'down' days.  She doesn't have a perfect life; she has her share of tough days, but she is a sparkling ray of sunshine in an awfully gloomy world, and I pray daily God richly blesses her for the love she shows to everyone around her.

 

                            That's the kind of gift giver I want to be.  We love you, Stefanie!!

Non-judgmental Me and Black Friday

You guys have no idea how I agonize behind this scenes of my little blog.  I get excited about my frugal finds and want to share, along with my ideas about things, but I worry ALL THE TIME that I might come across as smug and judgmental.  NOT MY INTENTION AT ALL!!

The internet has a way of making people sound more stern than they are, and so I obsess.

That's the way I am with the things I've said about Black Friday.  I'm not a hater, really!

I admire people who plunge headlong into Black Friday with all the gusto I reserve for my thrift shopping.  They collect their flyers, make their strategy, brew that coffee, bundle up and GOOOOO!!  They enjoy the thrill of the hunt!  I say, good for you!  The retailers are working overtime to make sure you get some fabulous finds for your (considerable) effort and lack of sleep.  I will be thrilled to read each and every one of your FB statuses detailing your purchases.  I'm just like that, ya know..........love to share in other's happy finds!

I know that there are those of you out there who can't begin to  fathom why I enjoy thrift shopping.  You might be diehard Black Friday fans, so you need to think of my thrifting thrills in the same vein.  We aren't all alike (thank God, what a boring world this would be!), but we do need to appreciate the differences in others.  I have always tried to raise my children this way.  Rather than looking down on or making fun of others, learn from them and enjoy things you might not otherwise!  This skill is especially important in marriage: your husband's mom's mayonnaise and pickle casserole might be an acquired taste (one you've not managed to attain after 1000+ tries) but you can at least enjoy the zest with which your dear hubby tucks into it at Thanksgiving.  When others appear to enjoy what you do, isn't that better than sitting there sucking up the last remnants with someone sneering in your direction?

So, this Friday, shop with happy abandon!  Have fun and stay warm!  Enjoy the fabulous sales and be sure to take pictures and tell of your finds!  I'll be cheering you on...........when I wake up around noon :).

Nothing But Thankfulness

It happens.

There are days when I don't WANT to talk about thrift stores or saving money.

Today is one of those days :)

Instead, with Thanksgiving less than a week away, I'd like to list some things I'm truly thankful for.

First of all, I am so thankful for my salvation.  If you've been my Facebook friend for any length of time, you probably know by now that I'm a Christian.   I am saved by Christ's death on the cross, and I accepted His free gift of salvation.  I couldn't earn it, so He bought it for me, with His life.  I can't repay Him, but I can live my life for His glory.

I am so thankful for my family.  For my husband Michael, my kids Amber, Brent, Brendan and Claire, for our parents and siblings (yes, all of them).  They were put in our lives to help us grow.  Some lighten the load and bless us with their presence.  They know who they are!

I'm thankful for my job.  I'm thankful that, after praying and searching, God opened up the perfect opportunity for me: a job with my husband as my boss.  I know I know........most people don't think that's a good idea.  Well, for us, it works.  I hadn't worked for 15 years, and I needed to be eased back into the work world.  I don't make a lot of money, and I don't have any benefits, but I DO have flexible hours that allow me to stay involved in outside activities, especially Claire's.  When she graduates, I'm probably going to have to explore other options.  I have no doubt the Lord that provided this perfect job will open something up.

I'm thankful for this house.  It's warm and cozy.  We have enough room for all of us and our 8 pets.  We don't have the best of everything in this house, but what we do have, Michael can keep humming.  Right now my 8 year old washer is having 'spin' issues, but that just means I adjust my load size and do the best I can.  Beats taking it down to the creek and beating the laundry by hand.

I'm grateful for the every day things that lend so much meaning to our lives.  For our church and our pastor.  For my Bible study and the sweet ladies in it.  For the stores that are near our house........not too long ago, we were truly 'rural' and had to take a drive for the things we might be tempted to take for granted now.   That all 4 of our kids have reached the point in their lives that they have figured a lot of the important things out.  For those 8 pets that require a lot of upkeep, but give an awful lot of love in return.

That our car and truck are reliable.  That Claire has access to the best our public education system can provide.  That when we're tired and want to stay home yet be entertained, we have good stuff to watch on t.v.  That even though Brendan would love another job, he still has one at Meijer, and it's only across the street.    That even though we can't play in a championship game, the Buckeyes are having a truly special season.  Thank you Urban.

I'm a simple girl.  I don't require a lot to make me happy.  Give me a free moment and a trip to Goodwill, and I'm ecstatic.  Give me HGTV and Claire and we can make an afternoon of it.  Give me a good movie at The Strand and Brendan and I'm content.  Give us a tank of gas and a day off, and Michael and I will enjoy it together.

Thanks for reading my blog.  You guys are the special people I'm thankful for.

Bangin' Bangle Friday!!

You KNEW Friday was a special day, right?  Now it's even MORE special!!

Sometimes I just crack myself up.  Sigh.

Everyone has their favorites when it comes to jewelry...........earrings, bracelets, rings..........I'm a bracelet gal myself.  Nothing can make or break an outfit for me like a bracelet.  The perfect one gives me a little 'oomph' and makes me feel better.  The wrong bracelet?  Well, I might as well spend a couple hours in traffic.

 

I have quite a few bracelets, and as I was looking at them last night, it hit me that almost every single one has a story to tell.  What a wild life my jewelry has had!  With that in mind, I thought I'd devote my Friday blog every week to one of my bracelets.

This beauty started life as a ready made bracelet at Meijer, and then I 'goosed' it a bit.  Meijer is just across the street from my house, so I am there at least once a week.   Brendan is a Meijer employee, so I get a nice discount.  No matter what I run in for, I always make time to stop in the clearance jewelry section.  Mejier has some of the nicest costume jewelry I've ever seen, and when they mark it down, it's a fabulous bargain.  If you're patient and you don't want to pay full price, you can 'stalk' a particular piece and follow it's descent to clearance nirvana.  9 times out of 10, you can wait and no one else will buy it.  If they do and you lose out....well, it haunts your dreams.  Sad face.

Anyway, I had 'visited' this bracelet for weeks.  It was originally silver and black, and you know I have to have a little bit of gold in there, so at first I was drawn to it, but realized I wouldn't wear it if there was no gold accent.  As I watched it go down in price, it hit me: why not buy it and remake it with some gold beads?  I make my own bracelets all the time........remaking old bracelets of my own or taking apart thrift store bracelets and configuring them with my own beads.  If this bracelet got marked down to $3, I would buy it and remake it.

The day it was marked $3, I skipped happily (ok, maybe not.......Brendan DOES work there!) over to the craft section and found a packet of pretty gold spacers for $3.99 (minus my 10% discount).  I took it home, cut the (hopelessly too tight) silicone string and restrung it with the gold spacers on my own, much looser string.  That's another pet peeve of mine: why are so many ready made bead bracelets so doggone TIGHT?  Even for me, with my freakishly small wrists?  I've lost count of how many bead bracelets I've bought, brought home and restrung.  It's another matter of VISION.  If something's in the store and you like the look but don't like that fit, REMAKE IT! 

Obviously, that rule won't work with underwear or bras :P

The result of my 10 minutes of work?  A beautiful bracelet I love to wear.  I am still amazed that it took me so long to realize I could 'tweak' it and make it perfect.  Hopefully today's posting will make you see YOUR jewelry in a completely different light!

The Frugal Bookshelf: The Brits Do It Better?

Long before Clinton and Stacy started secretly filming fashion offenders so they could publicly shame them, the trendsetters across the pond gave us Trinny and Susannah.  Yes, 'What Not To Wear' was originally a British TV show!

If you think C&S push the envelope when it comes to how rude one can be regarding fashion faux pas, they have nothing (NOTHING!) on T&S.  These chicks took no prisoners!  If you are familiar with Monty Python, then you know how droll and understated the British can be.  It's no different with WNTW flying under the Union Jack.

I recently found a 2002 copy of 'What Not To Wear' (the British edition) in book form at a thrift store.  Although it's 10 years old, it's lessons are timeless and straight forward.  Using themselves as print models, Trinny and Susannah illustrate 1.) what not to wear and 2.) what TO wear for any variety of body conundrums, including.......big boobs, small boobs,  big butt, no waist, etc.  Best and worst coats, pants, skirts, dresses for every body type.  The book is genius in it's simplicity.  ANYONE could make a quick read and become an expert in their own body type.

 

What's frugal about this book?  Besides the $1 price tag, knowing how to dress your body correctly is a valuable moneysaving skill.  Have you ever had a closet full of clothing you didn't wear?  Was it because each item looked terrible on your body?  Had you bought them on sale or clearance, thinking the price trumped whether or not the style or color flattered you personally?  Or did you buy something because it was in style at the time, but again did nothing for your frame?  Everyone's done it!  Each clothing mistake was money that could have been used elsewhere.  How much better to take a few moments, acquaint yourself with the pros and cons of your own body, and then dress it accordingly.  The end result is a fully functional wardrobe that can last for years.

Amazon has this book on sale for $6.  Or, you can borrow my copy if you like.

Goodwill Goodies 11/15

Those of you who are friends and have seen the fabulous finds that Claire and I wear from thrift shops know we find some GOOD STUFF.  Some things are ok, some things are good, and some things are SPECTACULAR.  The spectacular stuff are considered  'goodies' for sure!  Today I'd like to highlight one of our recent 'goodies.'

This is also a plug for visiting a thrift store more than once a week.  Luckily for us, our large Goodwill in Delaware is located on a very central roadway, where we visit a number of stores, so running in several times a week doesn't take us out of our way.  If it did, it just might negate any savings!

I had already visited our Goodwill earlier this week, and bought the nice bangle and ring for $3.  That was a quick, 5 min. trip, but I did manage to also visit the purses and shoes that visit.  Nothing stuck out except for the jewelry finds.

Last night, I had a little more time to shop, so I stopped back.  THIS time I found a pair of real leather boots in Claire's size for $4.99!!  Seeing as it's sometimes difficult to know exactly what she likes without her there, I took a couple quick cell phone pics and sent them to her, asking if I should buy them.  She sent back a resounding YES!

These boots are perfect for taking the beautiful spring and summer dresses in her wardrobe into 'year round' mode.  With her jeans or moto jacket, she will have fabulous outfits that are at once dressed up but also have an on trend edge that is very current right now.

I'm not quite sure why these boots weren't priced at $8.99, which is the usual price point for the nicer shoes and boots at Goodwill, but I wasn't about to quibble!

 

If I had taken the viewpoint 'I've already been in there once this week, and didn't find anything,' I would have missed out on true frugal fashion 'goodies!'  They have a gigantic turn around at this Goodwill, so the stock changes daily.  Walking out empty handed on a Monday, you MAY have a cartful come the following weekend!  It's certainly worth a shot!

Are You A Good Gift Giver?

Well, are you?

Is your point of view, 'I really don't have the money to buy nice gifts.'  So, you don't.  Or, you procrastinate until the last minute and throw money you don't have at the issue, stressing you out even more, and maybe missing the mark entirely?

It doesn't have to be this way.  As with everything else, you need VISION, and you need to plan ahead.  Oh yes, and you need to be a good listener.

Let's tackle the vision thing first.  You walk into a store and see a really good deal.  You think, how would this look in MY home?  In my mom's home?  How about Aunt Mabel's?  Can you vision it in any of the 3?  Then, get it!  It's a good price and you may not find it elsewhere for the same $$$.  And it may be gone if you wait to get it there.

Having vision allows you to see the object in it's intended destination, and then you'll know if it's a good deal or not.  Aunt Mabel may HATE the Swarvoski crystal candlesticks, but she'll be all over that Dale Earnhardt cookie jar.

That leads me to my next point: are you good a listener?  If you are, you'll remember that every time you get together, Aunt Mabel talks your ear off about how much she LUVS Dale Earnhardt.  So, when you see that cookie jar, you'll remember her devotion and know that buying it will be money well spent.  Plus, she'll brag about you to all her friends.

It doesn't take that much effort to really LISTEN to people, but lots don't, so that's why we have such huge miscommunication in our culture.  Why else do women who want jewelry get power tools for Christmas?  I love the Sears commercial out right now, where the husband is running frantically through the store, looking for 'Jack,' his toddler.........he was all set to get his woman that power drill, but Jack found the display of beautiful earrings.........way to go, Jack!  I forsee a long, happy gift buying life in his future :)

My husband Michael is THE PREMIER GIFT GIVER.  This isn't idle praise (just in time for the holidays).  Why is he so good?  Because he LISTENS!  He listens to every word that comes out of my mouth, and he doesn't even act like he's listening (guy would make a perfect spy.).  When we were first together, we would go to a store, and I would ramble on while looking at items and say, 'oh, I love that!' and 'isn't this great?'  Then I would promptly forget what I said, and Michael would hot foot it back to the store and get me exactly what I wanted.  Blew my mind!  Seems easy, doesn't it?  Then why do so many people have such an issue with it?

 

My mom is also a FABULOUS GIFT GIVER.  Every birthday and Christmas, she asks for a detailed list from each of us, and then she gets us EXACTLY what we want.  She doesn't have an  unlimited gift budget, so she wants to make sure she hits the mark.   She remembers that Brendan loves Nutella (he gets it in his stocking at her house!) and that Claire loves earrings.  She has no problem giving gift cards to exactly where the kids shop, because she knows that will be appreciated.  She wears silver jewelry, but knows I wear gold, so when she finds gold jewelry guess who benefits?  She gets 'freebies' from Coldwater Creek and just this week gave me a beautiful 'ruby' and gold bracelet she received when she attended a CC special event.  Isn't it purdy?

You don't have to spend a lot of money to please everyone on your list.  A gift card to a favorite store can be as small as $5, yet mean the world.  There is also NOTHING WRONG with buying a gift at a thrift or antique store!  I would be THRILLED if one of my family members got me a piece of jewelry from Goodwill or the antique mall downtown, because it would mean they LISTEN and know I shop there anyway.  You would also be amazed at how many brand new, IN THE PACKAGE items there are second hand.  I find more packs of stationery note cards for as little as .50 at Goodwill.  Those suckers can be $5 and up!

My last point?  Plan ahead.  Start to think a month or two before the event.  Making a list is an easy way to do it.  When Michael followed me through Walmart back in the Fall of '05, he noted that I said I liked the under cabinet kitchen stereo, and the Black Forest cuckoo clock.  He could have said, 'It's only October.  Why should I make note of this now?'  Or, he could have blown me off and not listened at all.  Instead, I got two really wonderful presents on Christmas morning that blew my mind, all because my husband planned ahead and cared enough to listen.  Believe me, I learned from his example!  When he made an idle comment a couple years ago about wanting a Dremel, I made a mental note, and that's what he got for Christmas last year.  Boy, was he thrilled!  I was ecstatic too, because instead of just grabbing something off the shelf that could miss the mark entirely, I got him exactly what he wanted........because I listened.

How does this all fit on a blog where I write about frugal finds?  Being a caring gift giver can be a frugal art.  Buying something that you have no idea will be appreciated is NOT frugal.  It isn't money well spent, no matter how great the sale was.  Grabbing an ugly piece of clearanced jewelry for $2 isn't frugal, since the receiver will probably throw up in their mouth when they unwrap it.  Nausea is never a good gift to give :P.

Nothing Else Feels Like..........Forever 21????

Those of you my age will remember the commercial, 'Nothing Else Feels Like Real Gold.'  That's where I got today's blog heading.  For the rest of you whipper snappers, you'll just have to take my word for it!

Let me start by admitting something.  I am jealous of you who can wear silver jewelry and look good!  I know, it's not fashionable, especially for someone my age, to admit I'm jealous.  At 48, I'm supposed to have come to grips with my shortcomings and be comfortable with them.  Well, meh.

Being the cheapo that I am, I am envious of those who can go right to the clearance rack, pick up a much marked down pair of earrings, etc. set in 'silver,' and know it will look fabulous.  Wearing mainly yellow gold (or gold mixed with silver), I can't do that very often.  Fake silver is SILVER, period.  Fake gold can be a variety of colors.........eye watering yellow, strange pink.......you know what I mean.

That's why I'm always thrilled to find something in brass, whether it's new or used.  With a brass piece, I know a good rubbing with my brass cleanser will render it, once again, a gorgeous REAL gold color.  You'd think more manufacturers of costume jewelry would catch on, and slowly they are, but you still run into strange variations of 'gold' all too often.

I especially have a bone to pick with 'gold over sterling silver.'  Ugh, it's atrocious.  I have yet to come across a really good piece of 'gold over sterling silver' that looks like the real thing.  I don't know what it is that makes it so different looking.  Lots of nice stores like Macy's, Penney's and online merchants like Palm Beach Jewelry have a TON of it, and I've sent back or returned too much.

In this day and age of beyond expensive real gold prices, I need to find a good facsimile.  Not only does it need to look real on day one, but it's also nice to not have the 'gold' rub off in a record amount of time.  That's another 'jealousy' issue I have with you who can wear cheap silver.  Unless you wear it in a chlorine pool numerous times, that 'silver' isn't going to rub off like cheap 'gold' will.  I've had to donate many nice pieces of fake gold jewelry because it turned a matte grey way too soon, and I take care to make sure I'm not swimming, showering or sleeping in it.

So, what's the answer?  Not only will I tell you, I will give you permission to GO TO THE MALL!!

Forever 21 is the best place to buy costume jewelry I know, and for OMG low prices.  I never would have known this, had I not taken Claire there several Christmas seasons ago to use her gift cards.  Why else would a 40 something mom take one step into a dub step throbbing, candy colored mecca aimed for much younger women?

Their 'gold' looks like GOLD.  Everyone who sees my F21 jewelry thinks I'm rocking the Real Deal.  The colors aren't garish, they look true to nature, and their white cubic zirconias look JUST LIKE DIAMONDS!!  And the prices?  Try $1.80 on up for earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces.  I spend on average $3.80 for a nice ring at F21.  My husband bought me a $100 gift card there last Christmas, and I made that sucker LAST!  Greater love hath no man for his wife, than he set foot into the most unmanly store in the mall............well, there IS Victoria's Secret ;)

Forever 21 also has a website, but I wouldn't recommend ordering from them online.  The shipping and handling easily negates any savings you receive, and they aren't the quickest in the shipping dept.  Plus, sizes may be far larger in person than in the picture online.........Michael ordered me what he believed to be a nice, small, solitare necklace, but when we received it, the solitare was the size of the Hope Diamond.    I could have swung that thing and taken out a giant, King David style!

If you are overstimulated by loud music and crowds (Claire almost had a panic attack in F21 once) visit them in the middle of the afternoon.  A much more laid back vibe, and the salesclerks were very helpful.  While you're there, check out the handbags!  They do an excellent job of simulating the latest designer bags, and they last too.

Since we are approaching the Christmas season, make your visit NOW, before Black Friday, or after the first of the year.  If you're thinking Christmas gifts, go to Kroger or Giant Eagle and get a gift card, so you don't have to brave the crowds.  It'll still spend, when you're battling the grey winter doldrums and need a pick me up from some newly acquired bling.

Here's one of my F21 rings from last year, along with the exotic skin bangle I bought at Goodwill last night for $1.  Only one picture taken in the light of my work office and it looks great.  Why do I even bother at home?

Five Minute Fashion: 11/11/12

 

Tonight I ran into Goodwill, on my way to pick up something at another store, and scored two incredibly cheap but fun and interesting jewelry finds:  a really neat art deco gold ring, and an exotic skin bangle.  Price for both?  $3 plus tax.  Totally worth my time and effort :)

I took about 50 pictures trying to get good enough lighting so you can see the detail on the ring and bracelet, but I'll just post another one at the shop tomorrow........the lighting in the office is much better!

A Tome For Our Times

Have you ever read 'The Complete Tightwad Gazette' by Amy Dacyczyn?

Back in '94, I picked up a copy of the first installment of 3 books, later made into what is known today as 'The Complete Tightwad Gazette.'  Seems Ms. Dacyczyn had had huge success living a frugal life, and started a newsletter to share the good news.  She got such a following that she was regularly featured in newspapers, magazines and on t.v., and soon publishers came knocking, asking if she'd put all her newsletters into book form.

Amy's dream was to have a large family and a pre-1900's New England farmhouse, on one income.  Crazy thing was, she made her dream come true.  In less than 7 years, on an annual income that never went above $30,000, she and her husband saved $49,000, made significant appliance, furniture and car purchases of $38,000, and were completely debt free.  She got her house, and an eventual 6 kids! 

I am not kidding.  This is not a fiction book.  In 959 pages, Amy spells out exactly how she made her dreams come true, and tells you that YOU can too.

It's not an easy life she outlines.  Amy and her family do without a lot of the things average Americans believe are necessary for a happy life.  They rarely go out to eat or buy new clothing, and they hang onto their vehicles until they run them into the ground.  They make a large majority of their birthday and Christmas gifts, and they also buy a great deal second hand.  They have a huge garden and grow a lot of their food, and do without convenience mixes.  When they need something, they do a lot of research, wait for the best price, and save their money until the time is right.

Amy doesn't sugar coat anything.  She's truthful to a fault, and she tells in her book about the outright nasty things people say to her.  She's been accused of child abuse numerous times for buying her kids second hand clothes and NOT buying them potato chips.   She recounts how one child insisted on store bought snacks for a while, and one daughter gave her a very hard time with her second hand wardrobe.  Many people view her as too extreme for 'normal' American life...........but then you go back to how much money she saved, on such a small income.

I've had this book for 18 years now, and I find new things every time I read it.  I just got it out again, and I'm going to read it cover to cover, because these are scary economic times.  We have to make a change, y'all.  With a staggering debt that we're leaving to our children, we can no longer fritter away money mindlessly.  I don't follow every single one of Amy's suggestions (I don't recycle dryer lint), but many appeal to me.

Amy was able to retire from the newsletter back in the late 90's.  Her husband had retired several years before, from the Navy.  They paid off their house and were able to send all of their children to college (if they wished).  Several developed a healthy love of spending, but all of them had instilled in them some of the best frugality lessons ever.

 

I'd recommend this book to anyone..........it can open your eyes and give you hope.