The yard sale season is starting to wind down already....big sigh.
I am a yard sale junkie. I go every Saturday and furnish and decorate our home with yard sale finds. Many times I find things that are new in the package, and will slip it aside for Christmas gifts.
There are some key tricks to the Yard Sale Day.
Have some buddies. I go faithfully with one of my girlfriends for the past two years and we have a blast. Also I have another friend that goes with his mom and we text each other where we find sales, it helps.
Here are my yard sale day tips
1) look in the local paper and Kijiji and Facebook groups for locations
2) Drive by key intersections and look for posters (this is when a buddy helps as they peer for signs as the other drives)
3) clear your car of all stuff before you go as some days it will be full. It is amazing what we fit in our sedans!
4) Bring coffee and treats (it can be 2 hours of being out and it is early a person gets hungry!)
5) Leave early
6) Have small change and bills (I have a separate yard sale wallet always ready to go)
7) I don't ticker with people, well almost never. I am out early and I figure that if I want it someone else will later. I also know I have yard sales to save money for certain items and assume others are too, so most of the time I pay the price.
8) if you see something hold on to it, it will not be there if you think about it
9) ALWAYS PUT A QUARTER IN THE KID'S LEMONADE STAND I love seeing the kids saving up
10) if you are really looking for something special tell your yard sale buddies, and it doesn't hurt to ask. 2 years ago I was at a yard sale and they had a tonne of toys and a few Ninja Turtle items, my daughter was a huge fan at this stage. I asked if they happened to have any more Ninja Turtle toys, she said yes some big items that I have on kijiji right now they are in the house, and I said I"ll take them, you just never know
11)be open to any finds you never know what you will find
12)wash items when you get home, Resolve, Lysol spray and Green Works Wipes are my Saturday morning best friends
13) HAVE FUN!!!!!
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Sunday, August 14, 2016
Saturday, July 23, 2016
ROAD TRIP!!!!!
People think because we are on a budget and cheap we don't do anything fun. NOT TRUE! We just find creative ways to make it work.
3.5 hours from our house is a water park. Gasp, it is even in another province. We knew that it would be a fun activity for the kids, and being how we aren't doing a traditional summer vacation thought it would be fun.
The night before I packed up snacks and a lunch. I actually packed way too much food to eat during the day. We had pineapple, pears, peaches, carrots, celery, crackers, 6 water bottles, bananas, turkey sandwiches, granola bars, applesauce to eat inside the park. I was either planning on making lots of friends or spending the day stuffing my face. We did a bit of both:)
The night before we went to Shell and filled up the car with gas, paying with our Sobeys gift card (this deal better come back this week I am on my last gc) got airmiles, and a free large cappuccino with fill up.
Yesterday was road trip day. We woke up early, put portable dvd player screens in the car for the girls to watch a movie (yard sale find $20 2 screens!) brewed coffee to go for us, and drove away. We spent the drive up counting trailers, listening to Dave Ramsey, the girls watched a movie near the end, and we listened to the best of Hip Hop on free Google Play. We stopped along the way and got a Mc Cafe for free with our filled coffee stamp card. It was a great drive.
As soon as we entered New Brunswick we went to the Tourist Bureau and asked if any coupons to Magic Mountain. There was a $10 off a family of 4! This took less then 3 minutes from off the highway to back on the highway, well worth it.
We spent 4 hours at the water park. When we were done we went to Costco and ordered a large pizza, pop (free refills) and a water for $13.49 great supper price.
I made a side trip to Value Village and bought New Balance sneakers for the girls $2.49! They have been washed up and look new, SCORE.
On the way home we popped in Shell again to top off the tank, but we are pretty sure we would have made it home on the original tank of gas. We love our Toyota. Got another free cappuccino and shared it on the drive home. My hubby listened to the Jays game on the radio, I read a book, and the girls fell asleep watching a movie. Great affordable day. Lots of driving yes, 7 hours in a day is a lot. However, we skipped the price of a hotel room and that savings essentially paid for our whole day.
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3.5 hours from our house is a water park. Gasp, it is even in another province. We knew that it would be a fun activity for the kids, and being how we aren't doing a traditional summer vacation thought it would be fun.
The night before I packed up snacks and a lunch. I actually packed way too much food to eat during the day. We had pineapple, pears, peaches, carrots, celery, crackers, 6 water bottles, bananas, turkey sandwiches, granola bars, applesauce to eat inside the park. I was either planning on making lots of friends or spending the day stuffing my face. We did a bit of both:)
The night before we went to Shell and filled up the car with gas, paying with our Sobeys gift card (this deal better come back this week I am on my last gc) got airmiles, and a free large cappuccino with fill up.
Yesterday was road trip day. We woke up early, put portable dvd player screens in the car for the girls to watch a movie (yard sale find $20 2 screens!) brewed coffee to go for us, and drove away. We spent the drive up counting trailers, listening to Dave Ramsey, the girls watched a movie near the end, and we listened to the best of Hip Hop on free Google Play. We stopped along the way and got a Mc Cafe for free with our filled coffee stamp card. It was a great drive.
As soon as we entered New Brunswick we went to the Tourist Bureau and asked if any coupons to Magic Mountain. There was a $10 off a family of 4! This took less then 3 minutes from off the highway to back on the highway, well worth it.
We spent 4 hours at the water park. When we were done we went to Costco and ordered a large pizza, pop (free refills) and a water for $13.49 great supper price.
I made a side trip to Value Village and bought New Balance sneakers for the girls $2.49! They have been washed up and look new, SCORE.
On the way home we popped in Shell again to top off the tank, but we are pretty sure we would have made it home on the original tank of gas. We love our Toyota. Got another free cappuccino and shared it on the drive home. My hubby listened to the Jays game on the radio, I read a book, and the girls fell asleep watching a movie. Great affordable day. Lots of driving yes, 7 hours in a day is a lot. However, we skipped the price of a hotel room and that savings essentially paid for our whole day.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
PRODUCE
Oh my gosh, I am not sure what's going on with the price of produce!!! The past few months I am finding produce is going up in price. I like to stock up on items when I see a sale and freeze items whenever possible.
Last week we went strawberry picking. We picked 24 boxes as the picking was good. The cost was $1.50 a box well worth it compared to the $2.99 if you buy them after someone else picked. The berries were tasty and fast, easy picking. To prepare them all we had to hull them fast. A bottle of wine helped this process go a lot smoother (Home Brew of course).
We took most of the berries and froze them into sandwich bags for future use. Most bags have 2 cups in them. The rest of the berries we made 25 jars of freezer jam. We will use some of the jars of jam for gifts throughout the year, such as hostess gifts and token Christmas gifts.
Yesterday I went to the grocery store and noticed a bag of green peppers for half off. I bought them, it was $2.31 for 4 large green peppers. When I got home I cut out a few spots but for the most part they were fine. I chopped the peppers into small pieces to freeze. I had enough peppers for the kids to have some with their lunch and to freeze 7 sandwich bags with half a cup of peppers. To many buying half price produce isn't appealing, but it is worth it for the most part. I also bought bananas close to the end, and peeled them and froze them for smoothies.
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Last week we went strawberry picking. We picked 24 boxes as the picking was good. The cost was $1.50 a box well worth it compared to the $2.99 if you buy them after someone else picked. The berries were tasty and fast, easy picking. To prepare them all we had to hull them fast. A bottle of wine helped this process go a lot smoother (Home Brew of course).
We took most of the berries and froze them into sandwich bags for future use. Most bags have 2 cups in them. The rest of the berries we made 25 jars of freezer jam. We will use some of the jars of jam for gifts throughout the year, such as hostess gifts and token Christmas gifts.
Yesterday I went to the grocery store and noticed a bag of green peppers for half off. I bought them, it was $2.31 for 4 large green peppers. When I got home I cut out a few spots but for the most part they were fine. I chopped the peppers into small pieces to freeze. I had enough peppers for the kids to have some with their lunch and to freeze 7 sandwich bags with half a cup of peppers. To many buying half price produce isn't appealing, but it is worth it for the most part. I also bought bananas close to the end, and peeled them and froze them for smoothies.
Friday, July 15, 2016
Cheap Snack/Meal Side Dish
When I peel potatoes I always save the peelings in a container in the fridge with water. I use them to make Potato Skins.
I microwave the skins for about 5 minutes.
While they are in the microwave, in a frying pan heat up olive oil.
After the 5 minutes, break the peels into small pieces and put in the frying pan.
While they are frying, grate cheese.
While the skins are frying, add pepper, and Italian season to flavor.
When the skins look fried (browned), add the grated cheese.
Turn off the stove top burner, and place a pizza pan on top, cheese will melt.
Serve with sour cream, ketchup.
***At times I put bacon bits on top, yummy and cheap!
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Movies
We don't do grading presents but I do like to have an experience with the girls when school is finished. We went to Boston Pizza for lunch the day after school ended, bearing their report cards for a free kid's meal. Then we were planning to attend a movie, Finding Dory. Going to the theatre is expensive!
I had bought 2 passes at Costco that includes admission and a kid pack. I bought them online where Costco allows you to register your aeroplan miles and collect miles, and then I paid with MasterCard for airmiles. I printed it at home and used it for the kids.
While at Boston pizza I told our server we were going to e movies after. He reminded me that they sell movie passes for $8, $3 cheaper then paying at the theatre. Score, as I had taken advantage of Sobeys offer a few weeks ago and I had $200 in Boston Pizza gift cards. At the restaurant I bought my ticket and paid with the gift card.
For my husband's ticket I had filled out a McDonald's survey that was sent to me via email when I joined McDonald's Facebook group in January. There was a code that made a movie $5 when a ticket was bought online. BONUS I could use the scene card for points.
At the theatre I used the 2 Costco kid passes, my pass from Boston Pizza at the conseccion stand and collected Scene points on it all!! The movie was great and felt good knowing the price was cheaper then buying at the theatre.
I had bought 2 passes at Costco that includes admission and a kid pack. I bought them online where Costco allows you to register your aeroplan miles and collect miles, and then I paid with MasterCard for airmiles. I printed it at home and used it for the kids.
While at Boston pizza I told our server we were going to e movies after. He reminded me that they sell movie passes for $8, $3 cheaper then paying at the theatre. Score, as I had taken advantage of Sobeys offer a few weeks ago and I had $200 in Boston Pizza gift cards. At the restaurant I bought my ticket and paid with the gift card.
For my husband's ticket I had filled out a McDonald's survey that was sent to me via email when I joined McDonald's Facebook group in January. There was a code that made a movie $5 when a ticket was bought online. BONUS I could use the scene card for points.
At the theatre I used the 2 Costco kid passes, my pass from Boston Pizza at the conseccion stand and collected Scene points on it all!! The movie was great and felt good knowing the price was cheaper then buying at the theatre.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Emergency Fund
An emergency fund seems daunting. It is when you add up all your expenses in your budget for 3-6 months. If shit hits the fan this is your...you guessed it emergency fund. It also seemed crazy to me to have such a thing. This money isn't touched unless there is an emergency. I got this once I started following Dave Ramsey. It's goal is to avoid you from going into debt something happens beyond your control. Today our 8 year old car went in for a regular service and then we got the call. You know the one when your mechanics number appears on caller id and you have the feeling of dread. We got that call. Guess what? It sucked to know we have to pay this large amount. I had a freak out moment. Then I calmed down a bit and thought wait we have an emergency fund. It took us a loonnggggg time to collect this emergency fund. It certainly didn't happen fast.
To build up our emergency fund we saved everything we could u till we got to our number.
Selling things on kiji and Facebook helped. Coupons to lower the other budget categories helps.
I can't say enough about the importance of the emergency fund. I will be able to sleep tonight, if not for this emergency fund I would be freaking out!
To build up our emergency fund we saved everything we could u till we got to our number.
Selling things on kiji and Facebook helped. Coupons to lower the other budget categories helps.
I can't say enough about the importance of the emergency fund. I will be able to sleep tonight, if not for this emergency fund I would be freaking out!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Receipts
Yesterday we went to the city to take the kids to watch an Elsa and Anna show. On our way home we went to Montana's for a late lunch/early supper. My oldest daughter has decided to call this meal Lupper :)
We had a gift card with some money left on it from the fall. Our kids shared the hamburger kids meal as it comes with two burgers. My hubby and I shared a wrap and salad. It was plenty of food for the four of us. When the bill came our server told us our gift card has a zero balance. I insisted there was money on it, and he checked it on another machine. Turns out I was right, so don't throw those gift cards away if you think there is money left on it, ask they to check it.
BACK TO THE RECEIPTS...I noticed on the bottom of our receipt there was a survey code. If this is filled out in the next 21 days I will get a free appetizer with a $25 order. (side bar if anyone local wants the receipt, it needs to be present with the code pm me it is yours) This got me to thinking that Walmart, No Frills, and Shoppers Drug Mart also have surveys on the bottom. I fill these out weekly when I do my credit cards, I have never won anything, but hey, someone must? Take a close look at your receipts who knows what you will find, the free appie was news to me.
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We had a gift card with some money left on it from the fall. Our kids shared the hamburger kids meal as it comes with two burgers. My hubby and I shared a wrap and salad. It was plenty of food for the four of us. When the bill came our server told us our gift card has a zero balance. I insisted there was money on it, and he checked it on another machine. Turns out I was right, so don't throw those gift cards away if you think there is money left on it, ask they to check it.
BACK TO THE RECEIPTS...I noticed on the bottom of our receipt there was a survey code. If this is filled out in the next 21 days I will get a free appetizer with a $25 order. (side bar if anyone local wants the receipt, it needs to be present with the code pm me it is yours) This got me to thinking that Walmart, No Frills, and Shoppers Drug Mart also have surveys on the bottom. I fill these out weekly when I do my credit cards, I have never won anything, but hey, someone must? Take a close look at your receipts who knows what you will find, the free appie was news to me.
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