The Bargain Huntress

Homemade Furniture Polish

2012-01-23T09:37:00.003-06:00

So I'm not buying any new home furnishings or clothing/shoes/accessories for the whole year. I've made it so far (23 days). However, that doesn't mean I have to accept the condition of the things I have, right?

I won't be buying new cabinets this year, but with a homemade furniture polish, I can feel like I have brand new cabinets.

These are my master bathroom cabinet doors...

The recipe for a homemade furniture polish is simple:

2 parts vinegar

1 part olive oil

(in other words, 1 C olive oil + 2 C vinegar)

Ready to polish my cabinets

Part way through...compare the left door (unpolished) to the right door (polished)

Compare the next two pictures.

They are both of the same drawer. The top is before, the bottom is after!

My brand new cabinets!

Tips:

You may want to start with smaller amounts, say 1 C vinegar and 1/2 C olive oil.
If your fingernails are dear to you, wear gloves. After I did my entire kitchen without gloves, my fingernails were flimsy and broken.
If you have divots in the wood, this homemade furniture polish will not get rid of them, but they will be far less noticeable.
If you have a special glaze or colored stain on your cabinets, try a small, inconspicuous spot before polishing them.

Newport News Clearance

2012-01-16T08:56:00.001-06:00

Today I had to show self-control. I got an email announcing an Extra 75% off all clearance at Newport News. Since I won't be buying anything, I could at least share the news with you. In the past I have gotten some great swimsuits from this website for as little as $4. Can't beat that!!!

Tips:

The sale is today only.
Check the measurement charts for the perfect fit.

P.S. Two people have already tried to talk me out of my New Year's resolution. On the bright side, I have also inspired another person to follow suit!

Better Take a Seat...

2012-01-11T07:33:00.002-06:00

My 2011 resolution was to drive slower...that's it. I have a teenager who will be 16 soon, and I can already hear him calling me on my hypocrisy. I was pretty successful slowing down.

This year, I'm upgrading my efforts. I want to be happier with what I already have. So, I decided to NOT buy anything for my home or my closet for the entire 2012 calendar year.

My husband was speechless. My daughter is less than supportive (this will decrease her influx of fashion possibilities). I'm confident and determined.

Here's to 2012!

Bargain Cooking Class

2011-09-15T15:06:00.000-05:00

This is my blog, so I can promote myself, right? A friend and I just started a cooking class for locals. We have talked to a lot of people who don't cook, because they don't know where to start.

We teach a basic lesson each week for 8 weeks, demonstrate a meal to cook, then eat and socialize. It's a blast!

Check out the pictures from our first class: Cooking 101--Essentials Tools and Ingredients

Tips:

If you are local and interested (and not a crazy person), give me a holler and I can give you info.
If not, check craigslist or local newspapers for programs near you.

Bargain Preschool Art Class

2011-09-08T14:45:00.003-05:00

This year is my last year with a child at home during the school year.

*sniff, sniff*

I decided not to put my daughter into a regular preschool, because...

Our Joy School group dissolved.
Preschool is expensive.
I will miss her too much!

Instead, our preschool is called "Mommy & Me" preschool. (I have never been good at naming things.)

We have a preschool homework book (Costco for $9).

We go to story time at the library (free).

She has scheduled play dates with a few friends (cost: returning the favor).

She also loves art! I tried to find an affordable art class for preschoolers, but $60 was the best I could find around here. Ugh! Then I discovered a program at the Dallas Museum of Art. It's called, "Arturo's Art and Me." Designed for children 3 to 5 years of age, the class has an art lesson followed by art activities. It lasts 1.5 hours, is offered once a month, and is limited to about 10 children. We went today for the first time. It was awesome!

Today they learned about still life. The children listened to a story about still life painting, then looked at two paintings of still life and discussed them. Then the class worked together to create this still life. Sofie placed the orange papaya that is right in front by the black grapes. (I'm so proud of her!)

In the studio, Sofie got to use food as a stamp. The cut pieces of food were dipped into paint, then stamped onto the paper to create their own still life.

Final product:

"Explosion of Food" (Sofie's words)

The cost is $10 per class. However, I became a member of the museum today for $90. That means I can take her to the class for free every month and visit the museum anytime I want (for a year) with another adult and any kids under 12. That's a bargain in my book!

Tips:

Reserve your spot early. I had to plead with them to add Sofie, since the class was already full. They kindly obliged. If you sign up for the newsletter, it will inform you when the classes are available to sign up for.
If you don't live in the DFW area, check with your local museum to see if they have a similar art program.

NEW KIDZ IN TOWN

2011-08-16T16:57:00.005-05:00

HI I'm the Bargain Huntress' new apprentice. I have several kinks i need to work out of my system to find better deals. Number one is: I hate finding good deals. Why go through the countless number of extra effort when i have money to get what i want?

Here is a genuine leather $1.99 wallet. Pretty flashy huh? Well across town they're having a HUGE sale, and you can get this fantastic wallet for ONLY $1.97! Well see i have to learn the way of the bargain huntress and force myself to drive across town, spending a dollar on gas in the process and come home to post what a STRIKING deal i got, on my blog.

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq

2011-06-17T10:13:00.000-05:00

While perusing my Shape magazine this morning, I read an article about a new procedure that is an alternative to liposuction: CoolSculpting by Zeltiq.

First off, let me explain my view of plastic surgery. I don't ever plan to consider it as an option for myself, exceptin the most extreme case. My main reason for this is that I don't want my daughters to think they need plastic surgery to be beautiful. I want them growing up to love themselves the way they are. Plus, I'm betting the trends will come full circle, and those that have remained natural will be en vogue. That's my two cents!

On the other hand, a procedure like CoolSculpting might be a low-risk alternative to major surgery for those who are considering liposuction. It only takes 60 minutes. This contraption freezes fat cells to kill them and the body's lymphatic system gets rid of them. The FDA recently approved it. "Studies" claim that users noticed a 25% reduction.

Dr. Oz featured CoolSculpting on his show and seemed to be on board. Whether it truly works remains to be seen. The price seems to be comparable to lipo. One session is $750, but it takes a few months to get results. So while this is not a monetary bargain, it may be a health bargain. Not having to go under the knife has its upside!

Tips:

Make sure you go to a reputable place. Check with your dermatologist or MD.
Another review.

Old Navy Groupon

2011-06-02T15:14:00.001-05:00

I've had great success with Groupon! Used it for excursions, clothing, gifts, etc. Here's one not to miss:

Pay $10 for $20 at Old Navy!

Old Navy Groupon

Tips:

Don't wait too long to use it! This Groupon expires July 30th.
You can get 50% off the latest, or make clearance purchases dirt cheap.
The more you spend over $20, the more you reduce your discount. If you spend just $20, your savings will be 50%. If you spend $40, the discount is reduced to 25%.

Try Groupon

2011-03-03T15:23:00.004-06:00

One of my newest favorite places to find bargains is Groupon.com. They have great deals on local businesses. You go to Groupon.com, select the city where you want to find deals, then wait for a deal to snatch up.

I found two great bargains recently. Last December they offered a $50 Nordstrom Rack gift certificate for $25! So I found awesome deals at Nordstrom Rack, then basically got another 50% off the discount prices. I bought several sweaters, a pair of pants, tights, and some t-shirts for $25. I'm about to use the other one when I go to Hawaii. I bought surfing lessons for my husband and me. We each get a two-hour lesson for $43 a piece. I was expecting to pay $100. That's over 50% off. I can't wait to go surfing!!!

Tips:

You can choose more than one city to watch (receive emails for).
Make sure you read the fine print. Don't waste your money because you weren't aware of all the rules.

Homemade Foam Roller

2011-02-28T15:13:00.000-06:00

Have you used a foam roller before? It's almost like having a personal massage therapist. My IT (iliotibial) band, a muscle that runs down the outside of the leg, gets really tight all the time, so I use a foam roller at the gym quite a bit.

This morning I wanted to use one, but I'm not at the gym and didn't want to run to the store for a foam roller. So I made up my own version.

I pulled my yoga mat out of my closet and three cans of green beans out of my pantry. Then I rolled the cans up in the yoga mat and secured it closed with the band that came with my yoga mat. It worked like the real thing!

Tips:

If you want to buy one, the cheapest I found online was through Amazon.com for $6 (+ shipping).
The nice thing about having your own is that you don't have to share sweat and body fluids with others at the gym.

Cinch! by Cynthia Sass

2011-02-07T14:41:00.002-06:00

Over the holidays, I panicked....Not about guests or gifts or gourmet foods. I panicked about my weight. By no means do I think I am fat. I workout, eat healthy, and do pretty well taking care of myself. However, I weigh about 10 pounds more than I did after my 3rd pregnancy. My #4 and #5 children have brought mounds of joy to our home, but they also dragged along 10 pounds and left it mostly around my waist. That's why I panicked.

And it happened to be the same moment that I was perusing Shape magazine's January issue. In this issue was an article about Cinch! by Cynthia Sass. This diet is all about appropriate portions and the right combinations of nutritious foods. I decided to give it a try. After sampling a few of the recipes from the magazine, I wanted more of Cynthia's recipes and more about her diet strategy. So I bought the book...

I know this is not a diet blog, but I've had such great success, I wanted to share. I have lost 8 pounds after 5 weeks--my goal was to lose 10. I feel great--lots of energy, no more afternoon sluggishness, clearer skin, less illness, and less mood swings. The recipes are delicious in my opinion, and my family likes them, too. I could live on this book's principles for the rest of my life.

Since this is a bargain blog, I'll tell you the cheapest place to get the book if you're interested. If you have a kindle, you can get it for $10. That's the cheapest. If you want the hard back, you'll have to pay more, since the book was only published in December of 2010. I paid $25 for it at Walmart. But now you can get it for $14.28 on Walmart.com. Choose "Site to Store," and you won't have to pay shipping.

Tips:

Normally, I buy used books, because they come in great quality for cheap. Amazon Marketplace, ebay, and half.com are great places to buy used books. I can usually get any book I want for 1 to 99 cents plus $3 shipping.
Most of my books, however, come from the library. Can't beat free!

LOFT Winter Final Clearance

2011-02-02T08:08:00.002-06:00

Head to LOFT for awesome deals! LOFT's Winter Final Clearance Sale offers an extra 60% off clearance prices, which means you can get some great clothing at very low prices.

Tips:

Wear your new winter items a couple of times (for fun!), then tuck them away for next winter.

Dillard's Winter Clearance

2011-01-28T08:58:00.003-06:00

Take an extra 30% off already low clearance prices at Dillard's.

participating stores

Just started yesterday...

Tips:

Check online, but you'll find better deals on Dillard's winter clearance in the store.
Dillard's is my favorite department store for clearance sales. You can sometimes find great items for 90% off original price.

Homemade Pillow Pet

2011-01-26T08:29:00.004-06:00

Remember how I claimed to be a fashion designer and seamstress? For Christmas, I got brave and decided to try something for real. Behold the homemade pillow pet...

My daughters (3 and 5) have been begging me for one ever since they began to watch Qubo, which has a pillow pet commercial about every 5 minutes. The requests crescendo shortly after each commercial, then die off, only to recrescendo after the next commercial. Needless to say, all I hear is, "When can I get a pillow pet?....When can I get a pillow pet?"

My problem was that I couldn't swallow shelling out $20 to $40 for one of these glorified stuffed animals, so I attempted to create my own.

I went to the store to look at the real thing. I took notes and made sketches of what I thought were the components.

When I came home, I grabbed some fabric scraps and made a quick, small prototype from my notes.

Then I took the pieces from the prototype (after a few adjustments) and drew a larger pattern for the pillow pet.

Here they are on Christmas morning!

The whole thing ended up being easier and quicker than I thought it would be. I spent about $5 and one hour on each homemade pillow pet. My girls love the fact that no one else has a pillow pet just like theirs.

Does anyone want to invent a new genus and species for this animal?

Tips:

Use coupons to purchase the fabric in order to keep the price down. I purchased this fabric at Jo-Ann's.
Email me at bargainbasics@gmail.com if you want my instructions and pattern.
Visit No Big Dill to see a REAL seamstress in action!

J. Crew Factory Winter Clearance

2011-01-21T12:20:00.002-06:00

Take an extra 40% off clearance items on J. Crew Factory online.

Lots of good stuff at good prices.

Tips:

Orders over $100 get free shipping.
Use code: MUSTSHOP.

LOFT Winter Clearance

2011-01-20T14:09:00.007-06:00

Shop the Winter Clearance sale at LOFT.

Store Locator

Check out a few of my favorites:

Basic Turtleneck: 12.50

Colorblock Top: 17.50

Cropped Cargo Pant: 7.50

Classic Boot Cut Jean: $25

Drape Neck Tee: $17.50 ( I just bought this one in gray and love it!)

Tips:

Check online and in the store. Sometimes items online are not in the store, and vice versa.
Be willing to pay a little more. I've had a lot of Ann Taylor and LOFT clothing over the years (my sister used to work there). The clothing comes in nice fabrics that wash well and stay looking good for a long time. I have Ann Taylor items in my closet that I bought over 10 years ago that still look great.

2011 Bargain Quests

2011-01-07T09:29:00.003-06:00

After the Christmas decorations are put away, the melancholy brought on by the winding down of another holiday season gives way to the excitement of kids going back to school, filing taxes, organizing my house, and a list of new bargains to seek.

Here's my list for 2011:

Airfare to Hawaii for 7--my parents have their Mariott timeshare reserved for spring break for us, so I just need to find a great deal on airfare.

Surfing lessons--see #1.

Mattress set--we've had our current mattress set as long as we've been married, almost 17 years. It's time for a new set.

Deck furniture--to furnish the new deck we're building in the backyard. The deck should be complete in a week or two.

What's on your list?

Bargain Hunting: As Good as Sex?

2010-12-11T14:31:00.002-06:00

From Shape Magazine (Dec. 2010)

"Bargain Hunt Your Way to Happiness

"The next time you're in a bit of a slump, hit the holiday sales. It turns out, scoring a good deal during a shopping trip can be as pleasurable as feeling sexually aroused. Researchers from the University of Westminster in England measured the brain waves of 60 people and found that the idea of getting a discount excited them just as much as being turned on."

No wonder I love it!!! See ya! I'm going to the mall...

Coupons Update

2010-11-10T13:14:00.000-06:00

So...after a month of coupon-ing like gangbusters, I re-evaluated my commitment. I certainly got a LOT of great bargains. In fact, I spent $200 more on groceries during the month than I usually do. (If my husband happens to be reading this...Oops! Sorry, honey!) My cupboards are full, and I probably don't need to buy toothpaste until I'm either ready for dentures or dead. However, I gave into the temptation to buy a lot of stuff (especially snack foods that I rarely purchase) just because I had a coupon.

I'm not totally forsaking coupons, because I got several items totally free! My new strategy goes like this:

Only use coupons on items I need or regularly use.
Track my budget carefully.
If there is an item that is free or less than $0.25, go ahead and get it.

Here are a few examples:

I don't normally buy refrigerated biscuits, crescent rolls, etc. But I got all these for $1 and my kids love them as snacks.

I rarely buy frozen entrees. But this one was so cheap, I snagged it for my "hungry man," who is 14 and on the cross-country team right now.

We always need toothpaste. These were on sale for $1 a piece. I had coupons for $1 off Crest toothpaste. I thought I was getting 6 tubes for free, but sadly, 2 of my coupons were expired. Lesson learned. Still, 6 tubes for $2 is not bad.

Tips:

Determine for yourself how much your time is worth. My coupon skills improved, but only slightly. So it still takes me quite a bit of time to figure it all out.

Speaking of Ulta...

2010-11-03T13:08:00.000-05:00

On another trip to Ulta, I got all this...

for less than $10! I shopped the sales (several cosmetic lines were 40% off); then I stacked several manufacturers coupons with an Ulta store coupon. Score!

Tips:

If it's not in your budget to buy beauty products, it's not a bargain.
Don't be tempted to spend money on frivolous items just because you have a coupon or there is a sale. Another sale or another coupon will always come around.
However, it might be a great time to snag some stocking stuffers if you have a teenaged daughter like I do.

Ulta Extreme Wear Cream Eye Shadow

2010-10-27T12:46:00.000-05:00

My favorite place to shop for beauty items has been Ulta ever since I first discovered it about 7 or 8 years ago.

My new favorite eye shadow is Ulta's own brand of cream shadow: Extreme Wear Cream Eye Shadow. My little sister, who also functions as my fashion and beauty guru, suggested I try them. I bought two to try....I loved them so much I had to go back for two more.

My favorite colors so far--

#106: Almost Famous

#100: Rising Star

#104: Premiere

#102: Socialite

Ulta sells them for $8 each. I happened to get them when they were on sale: 2 for $8. I also had a store coupon, so I scored them for about 2 bucks a piece. Nice!

Tips:

The cream shadow wears lighter than it looks in the bottle.
After swiping the shadow across your lid, don't wait too long to blend it. The cream shadow dries quickly and stays put (what I love most about it!).

Extra 50% Off at Loft

2010-10-20T12:19:00.007-05:00

Here are my picks:

Starburst Knot Tee

Reg. $29. Now $10

Poplar Wash Modern Slim Leg Jeans
Reg. $59 Now $15

Petite Sunday Flutter Dress

Reg. $89 Now $10

Beaded Bangles
Reg. $19 Now $6.50

Tips:

Visit your local store for more selection and possibly even better deals.
If you find great bargains on summer items, you will have something to look forward to wearing next spring and summer.

Very Low Cut T Shirt

2010-10-14T15:27:00.000-05:00

Did you know that besides being an adept bargain huntress, I am also an excellent seamstress and fashion designer? See below...

I'm getting tired of my summer wardrobe, and I have a few old t-shirts lying around that I don't really wear anymore.

(Like this one)

So I took my scissors, and cut a slit in the t-shirt from the neckline to just above my belly button

Voila!

Tips:

Check out a real seamstress and fashion designer at no big dill.

Coupons...Are They Worth It?

2010-10-07T16:00:00.000-05:00

Lately, my sister-in-law has been sharing with me her killer deals. For instance, last week she got a bunch of toys at Target on clearance. Many of her deals involve coupons, but you know how I feel about coupons. On the other hand, she puts forth a convincing case with all the freebies (and almost freebies) she gets. She shared with me one of her secrets: MyDallasMommy.com. A lot of the deals on this website involve coupons, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I scoured the Tom Thumb weekly ad for deals and store coupons ("sc" in coupon lingo). Then I went online to find matching coupons from manufacturers (aka "mc"). When I finished my list (this whole process took about an hour--I'm a newbie), it contained about 12 items....

Here we go...

While in Tom Thumb, I gathered my groceries within 10 minutes. However, my sojourn at the self-checkout lasted almost twice that. Thank heavens for Natalie! She should get employee of the month.

This is what I ended up with for $40.

A majority of the food I bought fits into our family's nutritional scheme. A few items, however, are ones I never would have bought without the coupons--gushers, refrigerated cookie dough, etc.

The breakdown:

Fiber One granola bars: $0.49
Nature Valley granola bars: $0.49
Gushers: $0.75 per box
Golden Grahams: $0.99
Trix: $0.49 (I never buy these, which is why they got devoured in less than 24 hours.)
Multigrain Cheerios: $1.74
Honey Nut Cheerios: $1.99
Refrigerated crescent rolls: $0.59
Pillsbury Sweet Moments: $0.59
Refrigerated cookie dough: $0.59
Freschetta Pizza: $3.50

My receipt noted $27 in coupon savings...not bad.

Several of the cereal boxes you see in the picture above I happened to find on a 50% off stand, so I snatched up a bunch--no coupons involved.

Yet to be determined:

Is it better to avoid the self-checkout when using a stack of coupons?
Will my overall grocery budget shrink? Or will I spend more on items I don't need?
Is my time worth the savings? (I'm not sure it is, but I'm not quitting yet. Hopefully I will become more efficient.)

Tips:

MyDallasMommy.com has a tutorial for newbies like me. Check it out.
Check to make sure the coupons actually save you money. You can usually get store brand items quite a bit cheaper. This time, though, using store coupons with matching manufacturers' coupons, I got a better deal on name brand items.
You can borrow my rules of thumb: If snack items are under $0.10/oz, it's a good deal (especially if it has some nutritional value). When cereal is under $0.15/oz, that's a good price (under $0.10/oz means it's time to stock up!).

Additional 40% Off at Dillard's

2010-09-30T08:35:00.000-05:00

Starts today....Ends Saturday.

Tips:

Read this post to get tips for shopping at Dillard's.

Gift Certificate Code @ Shoebuy

2010-09-28T05:18:00.000-05:00

I just received this $10 Gift Certificate at Shoebuy.com, but I'm not going to use it. So I'm giving it to you! (First one to use it wins!)

Here's the item you asked for:

Shoebuy.com$10 gift certificate Gift Code

P378547362960800

Redemption Link
Click here to redeem your coupon

Expires Sep 28, 2010

Redemption Instructions:

Your $10 Shoebuy Gift Certificate Code is:

P378547362960800

This Gift Certificate expires September 28, 2010.

1) Click the following link to shop at Shoebuy: Click Here To Shop at Shoebuy and Use Your Gift Certificate

2) Proceed to check out by clicking on the "Check Out" button in the Shoebuy shopping cart; and under "Payment Information" check Gift Certificate and enter the Gift Certificate Code.
*Please note, this is not a promotional code. It MUST be entered into the GIFT CERTIFICATE field within the checkout to be redeemed.

3) If your purchase exceeds the gift certificate value you will be given the option to pay for the balance with a credit card.

Terms and Conditions:
Can only be redeemed through the Shoebuy.com website. Not redeemable for cash or other gift certificates, and not transferable to orders already placed. Not valid with use of Shoebuy discounts. Only one gift certificate allowed per order. Shoebuy is not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards. This Gift Certificate expires September 28, 2010.
Have a question about your Shoebuy.com gift?
For more information, visit http://www.shoebuy.com/customer/

Tips:

Act quickly! It expires today.

$15 Credit at One King's Lane

2010-09-24T13:57:00.006-05:00

...just for signing up!

Click here to sign up. It's free! You will automatically receive a $15 credit on your account. It can be used towards shipping, too. Thanks again to www.mydfwmommy.com for the heads up. Here are my favorite items:

Large Square Bamboo Bowl, Onyx

Retail price: $35

One King's Lane Price: $15

Free with account credit! All you pay is shipping.

Small Shallow Round Bowl, Slate

Retail Price: $30

One King's Lane Price: $12

Free + a little left over to go toward shipping!

Set of 4 Jasmine Teacups, color: Pure

Retail price: $20

One King's Lane price: $12

Free + a little left over to go toward shipping!

Lunch Cooler, Silver

Retail price: $30

One King's Lane price: $15

Free with account credit. All you pay is shipping.

Tips:

Sign up here first to receive your account credit. Then go shopping.
Check product description for dimensions and other specs to make sure you know what you're getting. When you see "Large" in the title, you might be thinking the item is 18" in diameter, when it might be 11".

4 Movie Tickets for $15

2010-09-23T14:10:00.003-05:00

Go get your lipstick and your sexy stilettos. You're going to have a date night! You can get 4 movie tickets for $15 through tippr.com. Register for an account to receive a $5 account credit. Then find the daily deal (4 tickets for $20) under "Seattle."

You'll get 4 movie tickets for $3.75 each. I haven't seen that price at a movie theater since leg warmers were in fashion.

Tips:

This deal is only good today, so hurry!
Find more great deals on MyCityMommy.com. You can find your local affiliate in the drop-down menu (top right). (That's where I found this deal.)
Use this deal with the restaurant.com deal. You'll be an inexpensive date...but not a cheap date.

Restaurant.com Promotion Code

2010-09-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Tips:

Read the fine print. Most restaurants require a minimum purchase of $35.
Don't forget to tip on the total bill before the discount is applied. Some restaurants add it in automatically anyway.

Old Navy Price Cleanser

2010-09-17T15:21:00.003-05:00

Just stopped by Old Navy today. All clearance is an additional 30% off.

My local store still had a lot of clearance...even in baby and toddler clothing. They are usually the first to get picked over.

Tips:

Hurry!
If you just bought clearance items within the last 2 weeks, you can take your receipt in for a price adjustment.

Daily Shower Spray

2010-09-14T17:23:00.001-05:00

My shower is a beast to keep clean! Using 4-inch tile with white grout, the builders must have decided to play a sick joke on the housekeeper. So I often spend my shower time scrubber in hand, especially in the spring and summer.

A daily shower spray, like Clean Shower, appeals to me as a solution. Not a bad deal for $3.

Wanna go even cheaper? Make it yourself. You probably have everything in your house already.

Daily Shower Spray (from Thriftyfun.com)

For a 24-oz spray bottle:

1/2 c rubbing alcohol
1/2 c hydrogen peroxide
6 drops Dawn dish detergent
1 capful (about 2 tsp) Jet Dry
fill to 24-oz with water (distilled or purified if you have it)

It takes about 5 minutes to gather supplies and mix them together.

alcohol & peroxide = $0.50
dawn = $.03
jet dry = $0.20

Total = $0.73 for 24 oz (75% savings)

My 24 oz bottle lasts about a month for my shower that has approximately 75 sqare feet of surface area that needs spraying (I don't spray what doesn't get wet) twice a day (after every shower). Whereas previously my shower got all nasty after 3 or 4 days, with the daily shower spray, my shower only needs a little touch up here and there after an entire month.

Tips:

"Don't make up a big batch to refill because the H2O2 doesn't last very long and turns into good-old H2O. The H2O2 dissolves proteins (like sloughed skin and body fluids), the alcohol and Dawn dissolve oils, the Jet Dry suspends the minerals."
The daily shower spray doesn't work on clear glass. But I have gathered ideas I will share soon.
But it does clean stainless steel appliances, too. "Spray and wipe with microfiber cloth or paper towels. No streaking! I tried at least seven other cleaners before hitting upon this inexpensive method."--By digby from PA (from thriftyfun.com)

Dyson DC-14

2010-09-07T17:25:00.000-05:00

My dream came true--I got a Dyson DC-14! My old vacuum doesn't suck at all, which is precisely the problem. I have had my eye on the Dyson DC-14 for a while--did the spreadsheet a couple of years ago. The lowest price I have found is $399, and they rarely go on sale. That's why I haven't bought one...until now.

Why did I finally pull the trigger? My old Bissell and I got into a devastating argument--he wasn't pulling his weight. So I told him, "One of us has to go. It's either you or me."

The deal I found on my new Dyson came from Craigslist. The story goes: the couple got 2 new Dyson vacuums as housewarming gifts from their parents, but lost the receipt and couldn't return it, so she sold it to me for $250. The box was still sealed, and I called Dyson to register for my 5-year warranty. I can't wait to vacuum!

Here it is after assembly (which was a snap).

Before I say goodbye to the Bissell, a head-to-head competition--Bissell vs Dyson DC-14.

Brand new, completely empty Dyson canister.

A thorough vacuuming by the Bissell.

A follow-up by the Dyson.

Look at all that crud the Dyson picked up that the Bissell didn't. Granted, the Bissell is older and worn out. However, my parents and a few others did the same test and got the same results.

The Dyson DC-14 really sucks! Which is why I love it.

Tips:

One friend of mine found the same Dyson at Kohl's for about $199. It was 40% off, and she had a coupon to use as well. There are Dyson deals out there. You just have to watch like a hawk.
Be careful meeting someone selling through Craigslist (or the newspaper, ebay, etc). I never go by myself and always arrange to meet somewhere public in daylight.

Free Museum Day!

2010-09-04T08:25:00.003-05:00

Saturday, Sept. 25th, Smithsonian magazine hosts its 6th annual Museum Day. Museums all over the country are offering free admission, although some require a ticket. Click on the link to find a participating museum near you.

For those local to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Fort Worth cultural district will have 8 different museums open that day for free from 10am to 5pm:

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Kimbell Art Museum
the Modern
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Fort Worth Community Arts Center
Log Cabin Village

Click here or more info.

Tips:

Be prepared for some crowds. Everyone loves a freebie.
Keep the outing totally free and pack your lunch.

Add'l 40% Off at Ann Taylor Loft

2010-09-02T08:39:00.000-05:00

Magnavox H2160MW9 DVD Recorder

2010-08-31T20:51:00.000-05:00

You don't have to order cable or satellite to enjoy the benefits of a DVR. The Magnavox H2160MW9 HDD and DVD Recorder allows you to record television using a tuner.

Last fall we ordered a fiber-optic tv and internet service package that included a DVR--our first ever. We got instantly hooked on the DVR. However, I didn't like the fact that my children stayed GLUED to the television. So after a few months we cancelled the television service.

Then World Cup rolled around, and my husband really wished we had the DVR to record the World Cup games during work hours. That's when I went to work and found the Magnavox DVD Recorder. (Over my shoulder he just called it his "World Cup Savior...everything [he] hoped it would be.")

We're saving $70 per month on the television service, but still get the convenience of a DVR.

Tips:

Amazon's price is the best deal I can find on the internet right now.

All you need is a digital television and an antenna. You can buy an antenna on the internet, or follow this youtube tutorial to build one (my 13-year-old son built ours, and it works better than the store-bought one we had before).

Homemade Fabric Softener

2010-08-25T17:24:00.000-05:00

You will need:

2 C hair conditioner

3 C vinegar

6 C water

container

Add 3 C vinegar

Add 2 C hair conditioner (find the cheapest--I paid a little over $1 for 2 C)

Add 6 C water

Mix/shake, then pour into a container with a lid.

Use the same amount you would use for regular fabric softener.

vinegar: $0.52

conditioner: $1.12
Total cost: $1.62 for 2/3 gallon, which will last for 44 loads

At the store you'll pay about $3.45 for 44 dryer sheets or $7.13 for 44 loads of Downy. That's a savings of at least 50%

Tips:

Lower the cost even more. Soak a sponge in the fabric softener. Squeeze out most of the excess. Throw it into the dryer with your load instead.

Homemade Furniture Polish

2010-08-17T14:48:00.000-05:00

From Thriftyfun.com:

Homemade Furniture Polish

"This is an excellent furniture polish and most everyone has these two products in their home. Use equal parts of olive oil and vinegar (like 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup vinegar). It cleans and shines at the same time!"

By laniegirl from IA

San Marcos...Again

2010-08-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

I've only been a few times. It's not hurting anyone.

I didn't really mean to go to San Marcos again. It just happened.

I have quit shopping a bunch of times already. I can quit anytime I want--I don't have a problem.

My family thinks it's weird that I sleep with a shopping bag under my pillow and wake up thinking about shopping, but I know what I'm doing....I can handle it.

Is 9 am too early to start shopping?

Anyway, check out our back-to-school fashion show:

The original price of everything we purchased totaled $1056.

We paid $258. We averaged 75% savings.

Tips:

Never pay full price. Nuff said!

My frugal husband would not let me forget to factor in the cost of the hotel, gas and meals. We minimized that cost by driving/lodging with friends and bringing some snacks of our own.

Or you can call it a family vacation with a side of shopping.

Save on Groceries by Growing Your Own

2010-08-02T20:45:00.000-05:00

We have succes in our watermelon patch this year.

Here are the next babies to pluck.

Look at the size of this watermelon complared to my babies!

Delicious...

The pack of seeds cost me $1. Watermelons half this size cost $4 at the grocery store right now. We have at least 8 watermelons growing at the moment. Our ROI is roughly 3000% (if I got my math right).

Tips:

It's not too late to grow a garden depending on where you live. Right now is the perfect time to plant fall tomatoes in Texas. Use this fall gardening guide for more information.
Gardening is easier than you think. One year we got lots of big watermelons from a vine that started from seed spitting. Another year I gave my 6-year-old son a packet of cucumber seeds and sent him to the garden. We had our best cucumber plants that year. Give it a try!

Clearance at Children's Place

2010-07-29T20:29:00.005-05:00

I stopped by The Children's Place yesterday.

Here's what I found:

Overall that's 80% savings. These will come in handy when my soon-to-arrive nephews/nieces come along.

Tips:

Don't be afraid to backtrack. I initially bought twice as many items, thinking they were lower-priced than they actually rang up at the register. When I got to the exit, I turned around and returned the items that weren't "bargain huntress worthy." It helped my budget and saved me a return trip later.
Note to The Children's Place (just in case they're reading...): Please make your sale signs less confusing. Half the items on a "$2.99" rack are not actually $2.99. You get away with it, because the sign says, "select styles," but you frustrate your customers.

GE Toaster

2010-07-26T17:21:00.003-05:00

Sometimes it's not worth the spreadsheets, the time spent deliberating, the trips to several stores, and the visits to a multitude of websites.

Sometimes, you just go to Walmart, choose your favorite, and make the purchase.

Case in point: a toaster. Prices range from $20 to $300, but if you're not in the market for a gourmet toaster, the time spent researching is not worth the savings. There are thousands of toasters out there--all very similar, and all priced competitively.

Here's my new one:

$35 @ Walmart. Works great!

Tips:

Small kitchen electrics in general are not worth a "bargain hunt."
Some GE Appliances @ Walmart include a 2-year warranty where you can bring it back to the store if it breaks within the two years--a nice little bonus.

Sale at Ikea

2010-06-30T08:44:00.003-05:00

Save up to 60% at Ikea.

Ends July 5th.

Check out these special weekend offers, including kids eat free!

Find a store near you.

Tips:

Give yourself a budget before you go. A lot of great deals can add up by the time you reach the checkout.

40% Off at Children's Place

2010-06-30T08:41:00.001-05:00

40% Off Banana Republic Factory Store

2010-06-28T08:59:00.002-05:00

40% Off Entire Purchase at Ann Taylor Loft

2010-06-25T17:20:00.003-05:00

Get 40% off your entire purchase at Loft.

Tips:

Head to the clearance racks first. You will find the best deals there.
The discount will be taken at the register. So the actual price of each item is 40% less than what's on the pricetag.

Additional 50% Off at BCBG

2010-06-25T17:03:00.004-05:00

Take an additional 50% off everything in stores or online.

Shop Online

Store Locator

Tips:

In my experience, you will find better selection and deeper discounts at the stores rather than online.
The additional 50% off is not available at the Final Cut stores.

Homemade Fabric Softener

2010-06-21T16:16:00.000-05:00

You'll need:

3 C vinegar
2 C hair conditioner (any kind)
6 C water

Measure 3 C vinegar

Pour into a container big enough to mix all the ingredients (11 C + bubbles).

Add 2 C conditioner.

Then add 6 C water.

End result...

My cost for 44 loads = $1.62

Dryer sheets for 44 loads = $3.45

Downy for 44 loads = $7.13

Tips:

Read this article to make it last even longer.
Is the cost savings worth it? Maybe. Maybe not. But if you're in a pinch, it's easy to make from items you have at home and takes maybe 5 minutes.
And you can always claim you're helping the environment.
If you have a household member that is sensitive to store bought fabric softener, this method will allow you to control the additives.

San Marcos: Part 2, The Report

2010-06-07T15:50:00.005-05:00

Had to have enough room to bring back our stuff.

A pile of F.U.N.

Have you seen the magazine features entitled, "Look like a million bucks for under $100"?
Then they show a belt for $99, or a t-shirt for $75 (only a slight exaggeration).
This entire outfit--shoes, jeans, top, and earrings--came from the Kenneth Cole outlet for $110.

Matching Gymboree fur vests, $5 each.

Gap jeans with just the right amount of stretch, originally $40.

Gap knit tops (2 on right) originally $27; Banana tees (2 on left) originally $17.

Other finds:

EVERYTHING @ the Victoria's Secret outlet was $5.
DC shoes for my 9-year-old for $10 (originally $80).
Osh Kosh jeans and tees for $4 each.
Farting Fred and the Dog Show @ the Oops! outlet--my gift for being the driver :)

Tips:

Travel for less to maximize your shopping money. The six of us drove in my SUV to share gas. We shared 2 hotel rooms. We also bought breakfast and lunch @ Walmart and ate lunch on a grassy area at the mall.
What happens in the car stays in the car. This is a warning/threat/piece of advice. If you want to get invited again, DO NOT repeat silly and/or incriminating information gleaned during the road trip.

Recycle Waste Water in Your Garden

2010-06-07T09:12:00.000-05:00

Tip from Thriftyfun.com:

"A great tip for water drought areas. When taking a bath, save the water! Plants love the soap to kill off insects and salts for the nutritional value. We drink tea, soft drinks, milk, etc. and save those containers. After your bath, emptying your kids pool, after boiling potatoes, corn, eggs etc. let the water cool down. Then water your plants. I will get about 12 gallons from one bath. Why let it go down the drain? Use it on your flowers or veggies. Reuse your dishpan water also. When you get in the habit of doing this you would be amazed on how much would have gone to waste down the drain."

By Doreen from Bartow, FL

Shark Bite Connection System

2010-05-27T09:08:00.002-05:00

Fortunately, my husband and I took a wonderful trip to New Zealand and Australia.

Unfortunately, our upstairs water heater leaked during our trip.

Fortunately, it stopped on its own.

Unfortunately, it still needed replacing.

Fortunately, my husband is a do-it-yourselfer.

Unfortunately, do-it-yourself projects NEVER go as smoothly as a book/tv show/magazine article/website makes it seem.

Let me illustrate....We had replaced our downstairs water heater previously, so we thought this would be a straightforward project and proceeded to buy a new water heater. When Jared turned the cold water shut-off valve, nothing happened--it just spun around. That meant we would have to turn off the water to the house and cut and sweat copper pipe--a project that takes more time than our sport and activity filled Saturdays allow.

When we went to Home Depot for parts we discovered the Shark Bite Connection System.

(Hallelujah chorus)

All you do is insert the pipe until it clicks. No teflon tape, no pvc cement, no sweating with a torch. Visit the plumbing aisle of Home Depot and try it out. Even I can do it. Watch the video for a demo (it's a little cheesy, but gets the point across).

We asked the Home Depot employee repeatedly, "Is it really that easy? Does it really work?" He reassured us, so we bought the connector for less than $10.

Installed in our attic:

No leaks. The connection took less than 5 minutes.

Tips:

It really works.

It's really that easy.

While the price may not be typical of a bargain, the savings in time, effort, and frustration definitely make it a bargain.

Homemade Easy Bake Oven Recipes

2010-05-17T14:02:00.000-05:00

One of my babies just turned 5.

Happy Birthday, Claire!

For Christmas Claire got an Easy Bake Oven. Unfortunately, she used all the mixes before the end of '09. I haven't replenished her supply, because I hate paying $1 to $3 for a mix that makes barely enough for one adult-sized bite.

So, for Claire's birthday, I found some recipes for homemade mixes (Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Frosting, Lemon Cake, White Frosting, and Oatmeal Cookies) and invited my friend, Heather, over to help make them.

Chocolate Cake Mix

1 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and salt. Stir with a wire whisk until blended.

With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed and mixture resembles corn meal.

Spoon about 1/3 cup of the mixture into each of 11 small containers with tight fitting lids or ziplock bags. Seal containers.

Label with date and contents.

Voila!

Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 11 packages of Children's Chocolate Cake Mix for Easy Bake Style Oven.

To Use:

1 package cake mix

4 teaspoons water

Mix together and stir with a fork or spoon until blended and smooth. Pour mixture into greased and floured 4 inch round miniature baking pan. Follow directions for child's oven, or bake in Mom's preheated 375° oven for 12 to 13 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan on a rack for 5 minutes. Invert onto a small plate and remove pan. When cool, frost with Children's Chocolate Frosting. Serves 2 children.

I found a ton of websites with different recipes. A lot of them are the same or similar. Here are the other ones I used:

Children's Chocolate Frosting

2 cups icing sugar -- sifted

3 Tablespoons instant nonfat milk powder

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

6 Tablespoons vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine icing sugar, milk powder and cocoa powder. (Sift cocoa if lumpy.) With a pastry blender, cut in the shortening. Spoon about 1/3 cup of mixture into each of 9 small containers or ziplock bags and seal tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 9 packages of Children's Chocolate Frosting.

To Use:

1 pkg. Children's Chocolate Frosting Mix

3/4 teaspoon water

In a small bowl, combine frosting mix and water. Stir with a spoon until smooth. Makes about 1/4 cup.

Children's Lemon or White Cake Mix

1 cup sugar

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. lemon-flavored unsweetened drink powder -- like Kool-Aid

1/3 cup vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and drink powder. Stir with a wire whisk until blended. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed and mixture resembles corn meal. Spoon about 1/3 cup mixture into each of 10 small containers or zip lock bags. Seal bags tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 10 packages Children's Lemon Cake Mix.

To Use:

1 pkg. Children's Lemon Cake Mix

4 tsp. water

Preheat mom's oven to 375ºF. If using an Easybake oven, follow directions for baking cakes.
Grease and flour a 4 inch miniature cake pan. In a small bowl, combine cake mix and water. Stir with a fork or spoon until blended and smooth. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake 12 to 13 minutes in mom's oven or as directed in play oven. Remove from oven. Cool in pan on rack for 5 minutes. Invert cake onto a small plate. Remove pan. When cool, frost with Children's White Frosting if desired. Serves 2 children.

NOTES: Any flavor of Kool-Aid powder can be used for a wide variety of flavors. For a white cake mix, omit the powder. If you like, a drop or two of vanilla may be added at the time the cake is prepared.

Children's White Frosting Mix

2 cups icing sugar -- sifted

3 Tbsp. instant nonfat milk powder

6 Tbsp. vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine icing sugar and milk powder. Stir with a wire whisk to blend. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening. Spoon about 1/3 cup mixture into each of 8 small containers or zip lock bags. Seal bags tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 8 packages of Children's White Frosting Mix.

To Use:

1 pkg. Children's White Frosting mix

3/4 tsp. water

In a small bowl, combine mix and water. Stir well with a spoon until smooth and creamy. Makes about 1/4 cup frosting. A drop or two of vanilla may be added if desired.

Children's Cookie Mix

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup brown sugar -- packed

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda and brown sugar. Stir to Blend. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles corn meal. Spoon about 1/2 cup mixture into each of 8 small containers or ziplock bags. Seal bags tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 8 packages Children's Cookie Mix. Each package makes 9 cookies.

To use:

1 package Children's cookie mix

2 teaspoons water

or make:

Raisin Chip Cookies

1 package Children's cookie mix

2 teaspoons water

1 tablespoon raisins

1 tablespoon mini semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Cook in oven according to Easy Bake Oven directions.

Tips:

You can add the shortening later to any of these recipes to get a longer shelf life. I went ahead and added it, because I'm pretty sure ours will get used before 12 weeks are up.

San Marcos: Part 2

2010-05-13T19:35:00.000-05:00

You're invited to a Birthday Party!

For: the Bargain Huntress

Starts: Fri, Mar. 14 @ 10am

Ends: Sat, Mar. 15 @ an unseemly hour of night

Where: San Marcos Outlet Malls

I'll report back later...

Why I Hunt for Bargains

2010-05-10T13:53:00.002-05:00

Set of vases from Costco: $10.

Not coming unglued when they break: priceless.

Tips:

Note to self: Make sure to untangle floral arrangements before moving a vase.
If you can't find any children to blame (because it wasn't them this time), blame the dog.

Hitachi Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill and Impact Driver

2010-04-30T08:58:00.001-05:00

I'm a planner (in all caps). So if Father's Day is 2 months away and I haven't figured out my husband's gift, I'm behind schedule.

In truth, I'm working on a rain barrel (post coming soon!) and our drill died. I need a new one to finish it, and Father's Day is conveniently close, but...shh! Don't tell him.

Shopping for a drill turned out to be like shopping for a digital camera or a computer--the choices overwhelmed me. Prices range from $30 to several hundred dollars. There are many different brands. And each brand has a variety of cordless drills.

So, I called my brother, a tried and true handyman, who also makes purchases very carefully. He guided me on my choice--he loves his Makita. However, he said, "If you're in the market for a cordless drill, you might as well get an impact driver." Huh? What's an impact driver? He explained that it makes driving screws easier, that he uses his 95% of the time (his drill the other 5%), and that he could never work without one again.

So I proceeded to look for a set: cordless drill + impact driver. Finally, I narrowed it down to two:

Hitachi KC 10DFL

10.8 V Lithium Ion Cordless Drill (DS 10DFL)
10.8 V Lithium Ion Cordless Impact Driver (WH 10DFL)
2 batteries that are interchangeable, a charger, and a nifty bag
@Lowe's for $139

Makita LCT203W

10.8 V Lithium ion cordless drill (DF030DW)
10.8 V Lithium ion cordless impact driver (TD090DW)
2 interchangeable batteries, a charger, and a nifty case
$149 in-store @ Costco (or @ Amazon.com)

My brother told me to get the Makita. He's had his for 10 years and has loved it. I read this review and this review. Both sets include the same features. Costco has an AWESOME return policy. The Hitachi set has a 10-year warranty.

I bought the Hitachi. Why? It's hard to say. I'm quite sure I would be happy with either one. I think the Hitachi edged out the Makita, because it was $10 less, and I was already at Lowe's. (Costco's next door, but I was tired...)

Tips:

The voltage levels were a little confusing to me. The Hitachi and Makita at 10.8 V is actually the same as many other drills advertised as 12 V. You get 12 Volts at maximum power, but the average over the life of one charge is 10.8 Volts.
Here are some other resources I used: Consumer Reports Home and Garden Blog, HomeImprovementWatch.com, Cordless-Drill-Reviews, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Search, How Stuff Works.
To all the women out there: Don't be afraid of power tools! Just start off by squeezing the trigger a second or two. Pretty soon you'll be the next female version of Bob Vila.
The combo kit provided the best value. Priced separately, the Hitachi runs $200 or more. The Makita tools separately will cost you about $200 as well.

Better than Meds

2010-04-26T08:39:00.002-05:00

Enjoy some free therapy on my niece's blog.

Have an awesome day!

Bavarian Fruit Torte using blackberries on sale at Sprouts

2010-04-20T12:59:00.008-05:00

Starting tomorrow blackberries are on sale at Sprouts for 88 cents (per 6oz container). I'll be hitting the store tomorrow so I can get last week's deals, too (cantaloupe, 2 for $1)!

Need ideas to put the blackberries to good use? Try Bavarian Fruit Torte. I have added it to my repertoire of favorite dessert recipes.

Bavarian Fruit Torte

Shortbread crust:

1 1/4 C flour
1/3 C sugar
1 t grated lemon zest
1/4 t salt
2/3 C finely ground pecans
8 T butter
1 large egg yolk
1/4 t vanilla

Bavarian filling:

1/2 C fresh lemon juice
1 C sugar
3 T water
1 1/2 envelopes gelatin
1/2 t orange flavored extract
2 C whipping cream
2 C strawberries (diced)
2 C seasonal berries

For crust:
Whisk together in a bowl or process in a food processor for 10 seconds the flour, sugar, lemon zest, salt and grated pecans. Add butter. Mash with the back of a fork or process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Mix with a spatula or process just until the dough comes together in a ball. Pat the dough evenly over the bottom of a 9" springform pan. Thoroughly prick the bottom with a fork. Bake in a 400 F oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or a deep golden brown. Chill 15 minutes.

For bavarian:
Stir together juice, sugar, and water. Sprinkle gelatin over and soften 1 minute. Heat over moderate heat until sugar is dissolved. Add orange extract and set pan in cool water. Whip cream separately; add gelatin mixture when cooled. Fold in strawberries and pour into springform pan. Chill for several hours and serve topped with mixed berries.

This recipe comes from a few different sources. I got the original recipe in the mail as a realtor's advertisement; however, I didn't like the crust in that recipe. I combined Joy of Cooking's recipe with another one I found online.

Speaking of blackberries, would like to know how my garden grows?

These are the wild blackberries that we have trained to our side of the fence. They should produce bountifully this year. I can't wait!

Tips:

Here are some healthier modifications to the Bavarian Fruit Torte recipe: use whole wheat flour in the crust and substitute light whipped topping for the whipping cream.
Make sure you chill the torte long enough. It may end up slumping off your springform bottom and all over the counter, perhaps even dripping onto the floor. How would I know, you ask? No comment....
I have tried using just blueberries, just strawberries, or a mixture of strawberries and blackberries. I think any combination of berries would taste great!
I highly recommend Joy of Cooking. You can find it for less than $10 here.

Additional 50% off at Children's Place

2010-04-16T14:08:00.002-05:00

Winter/Spring clearance season is upon us again....

Head to Children's Place to find great prices on clothing for your child.

Click on the image to find your nearest store.

Tips:

Find additional clearance online.
If you get invited to lots of baby showers, this is a good opportunity to stock up on baby gifts. My mom taught me to buy baby clothing gifts a little bigger (18 mo to 3T). New moms tend to receive plenty of newborn clothes, but not much else.

Additional 40% off at Ann Taylor Loft

2010-04-13T14:52:00.005-05:00

My little sister used to work at Ann Taylor, so I got a lot of discounts and hand-me-"ups". She got me hooked on Ann Taylor for dressy fashion and Ann Taylor Loft for more casual fashion. Even though she doesn't work there anymore, I still love to hit their clearance sales like this one.

My picks:

Tips:

Take 40% off the lowest listed price. That will be your final price.
Check your local Loft location, where they might have a bigger selection and even deeper discounts.
I am willing to pay a little more for Ann Taylor/Loft clothing, because they are good quality. My sis started working there about 15 years ago. I have some classic Ann Taylor items in my closet from around that time that I still wear, and they still look great.

Urban Outfitters $5 Sale

2010-04-12T13:15:00.005-05:00

Urban Outfitters has a bunch of stuff on clearance for $5 or less--mostly accessories, but worth checking out.

Here are my faves:

Kiss Me I'm Irish Tee (this one's for you, Heather)

Bird House Charm Necklace

Snatch Sunglasses

Tips:

The sale is online only. To make it worth the shipping, get a lot, or share an order with a buddy.
Even though this sale is advertised as online only, my guess is that the store has a lot of great clearance, too!

Travelocity Top Secret Hotels

2010-04-02T08:37:00.006-05:00

Travelocity just added a new service: Top Secret Hotels. It works just like Hotwire.com. That is, you see the price, the general location, and the hotel rating, but not the name, before booking the hotel. After you pay, then you find out the exact hotel. I generally book hotels this way. Never have I experienced disappointment in the value. More often, I have been pleasantly surprised (once to the utmost) at the level of luxury for the amount of money.

Also, I have taken advantage of Travelocity from the start (years before my husband began working for its parent company). My experience with their customer service has been fabulous and they consistently have competitive rates.

The combination of Travelocity with my favorite hotel booking method fashions my perfect universe.

Even better, right now they have a promotion for a 2+ night hotel stay. Here are the details:

"Team:

If you haven’t seen the exciting news already, Travelocity is pleased to announce its brand-new product: Travelocity Top Secret Hotels. It's the new, easy way for our customers to get unpublished discounted prices (up to 45% off) on 3- and 4- star hotels. We also let customers know the price upfront, so there's no guesswork when they book and no hassle of bidding (like some of those “other” guys).

In fact, a recent customer paid only $101 for a 4-star hotel in Chicago that normally would have cost $207. And a customer headed to San Francisco paid just $112 for a 3-star hotel which normally cost $202. Impressive indeed! And now we’re going to fill you in on a little secret on how to save even more.

Want an answer to “Can you get me a discount on travel?”

Yes! First encourage your friends and family to visit our site and book a Top Secret Hotel with their American Express card and enjoy $20 off a two+ night Top Secret Hotel stay when they enter the promo code AMXSECRET20. Don’t have an American Express card handy and need to use a different card? We’ve also created a “secret” introductory Friends and Family promo code, SECRET 20 they can use for a limited time as well.

Happy travels!

The Travelocity Team"

Tips:

The hotel booking is non-refundable. So be certain of your travel plans before paying.
You can either use the link above to visit the Travelocity Top Secret Hotel website, or you can simply start your hotel search on the Travelocity home page. The results will include a Top Secret Hotel option at the top of the hotel list.

Kirkland Stainless Steel Cookware

2010-03-23T14:49:00.004-05:00

Goodbye, old friends. You have been with me for many years, through thick (stews) and thin (crepes). Alas, it is time to move on. Farewell.

I have been eyeing Costco's Kirkland Signature 13-piece Stainless Steel Cookware set for a little while now. When I walk by the kitchen goods aisle at my local Costco, the cookware set shimmers beautifully, beckoning me to take it home.

Fortunately, it's almost my birthday, so my parents and my in-laws were happy to oblige me. Now the Kirkland Signature 13-piece Stainless Steel Cookware set (broccoflower, yellow bell peppers, and greens not included) resides in my kitchen. So far, I have used the larger skillet, the dutch oven, and the larger saucepan. I'm anxious to try the steamer.

The dutch oven is my favorite so far. Look how shiny and pretty:

I like this cookware, because...

It heats up quickly (about twice as fast as my old pans).
It cooks evenly.
It washes easily.
It's dishwasher safe.
It includes an 8-qt dutch oven (see picture above). I had planned on buying just a nice larger dutch oven (my old one was 5 quarts--not large enough to feed a family with hollow-legged teenagers), but found that a nice stainless steel one would run at least $60. I thought it a good deal to pay $100 more for a whole new set!

Check out some others' perspectives:

Chowhound.com

Epinions.com

Tips

Use lower heat settings. These pans retain heat well, so low to medium heat should cover most, if not all, your cooking needs. My mom and I made a vanilla sauce and overcooked it a little, because the pan got too hot.

Cancel your gym membership. These babies are heavy. I thought I'd show off a little and carry the box to the checkout, then proceed to carry it out to the car. I barely made it to the checkout. I feel reassured, though, of their durability.

Back from San Marcos: Part 1

2010-03-18T10:08:00.006-05:00

We arrived in San Marcos Friday night.... Isn't it beautiful? It should be named one of the 7 wonders of the world.

We shopped Friday night, stayed at La Quinta in San Marcos (not impressed...I don't recommend it), then arrived back at the Outlet Malls by 9am. We shopped amongst other Spring Breakers, including travellers from Mexico, all day Saturday and arrived home by 10 pm. It was a busy place, but not overcrowded.

Evidence of a happy trip:

Full trunk (see above)

Empty wallet (see below)

Here are a few of my favorite purchases:

Original outlet price: $80.

Original price for the sweater: $99

Shorts: originally $69

Dress: originally $78

Roxy hats for bad hair days: originally $22 each.

Tips:

Avoid traffic. We left at the wrong time, hitting Austin just before rush hour, which added an extra 2 hours to our trip.
Bring snacks. Dining options are slim at the outlet malls.

This is only part 1, because in May I'm headed back for a birthday/Mother's Day trip with friends. Wanna come?

Headed to San Marcos Outlet...

2010-03-12T10:17:00.001-06:00

The outlets in San Marcos, TX were named the "third best place to shop in the world" by ABC's the View. It is the biggest outlet destination in Texas, and the 3rd biggest in the world. Find more info in this post.

Thesaurus.com:

"Main Entry: heavenPart of Speech: nounDefinition: place where God lives; wonderful feelingSynonyms: Arcadia, Canaan, Elysium, Shangri-la, Utopia, Zion, afterworld, atmosphere, azure*, beyond, bliss, dreamland, ecstasy, empyrean, enchantment, eternal home, eternal rest, eternity, fairyland, felicity, firmament, glory, great unknown, happiness, happy hunting ground, harmony, heights, hereafter, immortality, kingdom, kingdom come, life everlasting, life to come, next world, nirvana, paradise, pearly gates, promised land, rapture, sky*, the blue, transport, upstairs, wonderland "

This is where I'll be, what I'll be experiencing this weekend.

This is what my husband calls it:

"Antonyms: hell" (from Thesaurus.com)

I'll report back in a few days...

Try to have a weekend as fun as mine!

Glidden Interior Paint

2010-02-24T09:51:00.003-06:00

It's time to say goodbye to fingerprints, sharpie, glue, dirt, scuffs, and crayon on the walls...starting with my foyer.

This project began weeks ago with the collecting of color chips in various shades of beige. Lowe's had plenty of nice colors. I've used their house brand, Valspar, before and liked it well enough. Home Depot's selection proved adequate, and I've used Behr (worked well) and Glidden (wasn't impressed) before. I visited Sherwin-Williams, where the sales associate told me their paint is the best on the market, so I chose one of their colors, and bought a quart of it to sample...too yellow. The next sample was too green (my kids: "looks like barf"; "looks like poop"). I finally concocted my own color to get it just right.

I happened to be at Home Depot for something else and noticed Glidden paint on sale for $14.97 per gallon. The Bargain Huntress took notice. I hadn't even considered Glidden, because of it's lackluster performance previously, but $14.97 for Glidden vs. $40 for Sherwin-Williams tempted me.

After further consideration and research, I discovered that Glidden paint has been revamped, so I decided to go for it.

Glidden doesn't claim to cover in one coat. In fact, the guy at Home Depot recommended two coats. However, I found that Glidden covered just as well as other paint brands I've used that claim to cover in just one coat (which has never happened in my experience). It only required touch-ups here and there.

Here's the final result:

It's 50% Greenbriar Beige, 50% La Fonda Boulder.

The final word: I would paint with Glidden again, even at the regular price (about $20/gallon).

Tips:

Buy samples first! I was sure the first paint chip I decided on was the color. It took 4 more tries to find the right one. Paint samples ($3) came in handy and saved me from buying 2 gallons of a color that would not have worked for me.
On a side note, painter's tape (the blue stuff) is worth the slightly higher cost. For the longest time, I have used regular masking tape, which allows paint to seep through. This time I used painter's tape, and had 2 minor leaks, saving me a lot of time on finishing touches.

By the way, my paint color needs a name. Do you have any suggestions?

Hoover f5914-900 SteamVac

2010-02-19T09:23:00.002-06:00

(Updated: 7/31/10)

After doing a bit of research for a reader, I found a sister model to the Hoover I previously wrote about.

The Hoover f5914-900 has all the same features. The difference is the color of the machine and the type of carpet solution included with the machine.

The upside to this machine is its availability and competitive pricing.

The best deal right now is on Amazon.com for $145 + free supersaver shipping.

Tips:

This is one of my favorite purchases ever. I love being able to use my own carpet cleaner every few months rather than forking over hundreds of dollars once or twice a year.

Be My Valentine...next year.

2010-02-16T11:29:00.004-06:00

Get dirt cheap valentines for your child's Classroom Party 2011

Buy them today. I usually get them 90% off, so a box of valentines costs roughly $.25.

Tips:

Check Walmart, Target, and Walgreens. That's where I usually find them.
You might be able to find cheap doodads/toys to go with them. I don't recommend buying clearance candy for next year. They either taste gross in a year, or they slowly and mysteriously disappear.

Snow Ice Cream

2010-02-12T11:11:00.003-06:00

We had record snowfall yesterday!!! Isn't it beautiful?

While helping our neighbor get up our street this morning, he asked if we had made snow ice cream yet.

Huh?...Never heard of it, but sounds fun.

Google to the rescue....

This recipe comes from Allrecipes.com:

1 gallon snow
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk

We had some leftover whipping cream, so I threw in the extra calories, because who doesn't love back fat?

Directions: When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the flakes. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.

(Since it had already stopped snowing, I located the cleanest snow and skimmed it off the top.)

It tasted pretty yummy--a lot like homemade ice cream. But most of all, it was fun!

Tips:

Eat it fast or freeze it. It melts quickly.
Let your kids do it by themselves. It's so easy, and it's more about the memory, right?

Do It Yourself Drain Cleaner

2010-02-11T15:26:00.006-06:00

Remember this dirty water?

It wasn't my clever photography skills that allowed me to catch this crud before it drained. It's just sitting there....What was I thinking when I dumped the "recovery tank" of my new Hoover steam vac into my bathroom sink?!

Dirty water + lint globs + dirt + who knows what else + bathroom sink = a considerable clog.

Fortnately, I got an email from Thriftyfun.com a few days ago that included the following:

"Safe and Friendly Drain Cleaner

"To safely clean drains, I pour baking soda into the drain followed by table salt. If the clog isn't bad, I just use cold water to flush it down. If the clog is bad, you will need to use boiling water. Since this will not harm pipes or the environment, you can use this weekly to keep drains from becoming clogged.

"By Kris from New Albany, IN"

It really works! I couldn't really dump baking soda and salt down the drain, since the sink was full of water, so I just poured about 1/4 C of baking soda and 1/4 C of salt into the sink with the dirty water. Then I poured 2 quarts of boiling water in the sink. It took two rounds of this, but now my sink drains a little better than before.

Tips:

It's okay to say you're helping the environment even if you're being cheap (like me).

Go to Costco and buy the industrial-sized bag of baking soda for future drain clogs.

Hoover F5918-900 SteamVac Spinscrub Pet

2010-02-11T14:36:00.010-06:00

I just bought the Hoover F5918-900 SteamVac Spinscrub Pet with a friend of mine. I know, I just bought a Bissell about 6 months ago. And I loved it...until it stopped spraying. I'm not sure what happened. The manufacturer's warranty still covered it, and Bissell was perfectly willing to fix it free of charge. However, I decided to take it back to Costco (5 min away) rather than drive to the nearest Bissell servicer (40 min away). I would have purchased the same steam cleaner again, but it wasn't on sale anymore. I would have had to pay an additional $50 to get the same one. So I researched a little more and found the Hoover to be the best deal. (Costco's return policy was a major deciding factor.)

See it at Costco.com

On Amazon.com

The biggest difference between the Hoover and the Bissell was that the Bissell heats the cleaning solution for you, and the Hoover requires you to fill the solution tank with hot water.

Costco's version includes 2 of each of the cleaning solutions.

These are all "Pet" solutions. I have one dog that stays outdoors, but I think my 5 kids could give any pet a run for its money.

Here's my dirty Master bedroom carpet. The picture doesn't really do it justice...

(Just wait until you see the next picture.)

My first emptying of the dirty water. Yuck! This is what we've been rolling around on??!!

Note to self: don't empty dirty water into bathroom sink. (See next blog post for details.)

Voila!

The Hoover was easy to put together, easy to use, and worked great. Now my kids have a blank canvas again to work their magic.

Tips:

Make sure the "recovery tank" is sealed properly. I didn't have it sealed all the way once, and the Hoover wouldn't suck any solution from the carpet.
Pretreat spots properly beforehand. I didn't read the instructions on the bottle, so it took a little extra work (but not that much!) to get a few spots out.

Old Navy Sale

2010-02-09T11:38:00.003-06:00

A little birdie told me that

has some great stuff on sale right now, including

$2 camis!

Tips:

In my opinion, you can't have too many camis. Time to stock up.

Clearance at Walmart

2010-02-03T17:11:00.003-06:00

I had to kill some time at Walmart today in between errands. I noticed a lot of clearance at our local Wal-mart here in Texas throughout the store. The items I saw on clearance included:

clothes
shoes
housewares
crafts
home decor
bath and linens
toys
cosmetics

Let me know if your Walmart has some good stuff on sale...

Tips:

Check the original price. When I see a red tag or a clearance sign, my hand automatically starts reaching for my wallet. But if you look carefully, sometimes the sale price is only 20% off.

File Your Taxes for Free

2010-02-01T10:13:00.003-06:00

Here's my advice for filing taxes last year. I feel the same way about TaxAct.com. In fact, I just filed electronically today for free and should be receiving my refund in 2-3 weeks!

Tips:

Gather all your tax info before starting. This includes w-2's, property tax statements, social security cards, etc.

Children's Place Winter Clearance

2010-01-26T15:08:00.003-06:00

I love getting inexpensive children's clothing at The Children's Place.

Store locator. Shop online.

Tips:

You can stock up for next fall, or wear them now. (Did you see my last post? Like I said, it's still cold here.)
If, like me, you have an 11-year-old daughter who thinks she's 15, DO NOT buy her clothes that say "The Children's Place" on them. The result will involve slammed doors, tears, and rolled eyes.

Ann Taylor Loft: extra 50% off

2010-01-26T15:00:00.003-06:00

Take an extra 50% off all sale items at Ann Taylor Loft!

Tips:

Ann Taylor Loft is a great store for good quality casual basics.
Don't forget to check their accessories, too.
You can still wear the fall/winter fashions that you'll find on clearance. Even in Texas, we've got several more weeks of chilly weather.

Extra 50% off Old Navy Clearance

2010-01-18T08:44:00.002-06:00

Ends today!

Cover Girl LashBlast Mascara Bargain

2010-01-12T09:44:00.005-06:00

Costco sells a 3-pk of Cover Girl LashBlast Mascara for $13.99. Use the $3 off coupon in the current coupon mailer to bring the cost down to $3.66 per tube. That's a savings of 54% compared to Walmart's regular price ($7.94). You have about 2 weeks left. The coupon expires Jan. 24th.

Not a Costco member? You can buy it at Ulta for $8.39, throw in some hair elastics to total $10 so you can use their $3.50 off coupon. The final price for the mascara is $5.45.

Or, go to Target, where they sell a 2-pack for $10.99.

Tips:

If 3 tubes is too many, split the cost with a friend.

Still Tasty: Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide - Save Money, Eat Better, Help the Environment

2009-12-16T14:57:00.000-06:00

Check out StillTasty.com. You can enter any food you might find in the kitchen and find out how long it will keep in the pantry, in the fridge, or in the freezer. The website also provides information on safe food prep.

Can stilltasty.com really save you money? Read this article: Expiration Dates: Should You Pay Attention? You will learn how long you have after the expiration date to still consume your foods. That way you won't waste money throwing away foods that are still safe to eat.

Tips:

In my opinion, you can trust stilltasty.com's information. They have listed their sources, and they are the same ones I would use.

Read this article. Then please tell my husband to read it!

Thanks, Heather, for the heads up.

Additional 50% off at BCBGMaxazria

2009-12-10T14:28:00.004-06:00

Tips:

For my local peeps, there is a new BCBGMaxazria Final Cut at Grapevine Mills just down from Banana Republic.
The sale starts today and is "subject to end without notice."

See ya! I'm grabbing my purse...

$30 For Longer Lasting Joy

2009-12-09T09:23:00.000-06:00

From thriftyfun.com

"Being frugal does not mean one should not enjoy life, just that we should examine our way of life to see if what we are doing is bringing us pleasure for the cost associated. I recently had the problem of deciding to fill in the artificial nails that was given to me as a gift from my husband or taking them off and saving the money spent for upkeep. I do feel like I'm worth $15 every other week, but in the end I think it just comes down to the fact that I have other interests that I would rather put my money....For me personally, I decided I would get just as much enjoyment for my $30 this month in the following way: I could buy school supplies for a child I do not know or I could buy a lot of pencils and take to the school for use when a child does not have one. The next month I could find a nursing home in my area and take $30 worth of socks in all different sizes or I could save my money for a couple of months and take some nightgowns and pj's for the ones that do not have family.

"My nails were pretty but I found after examining that I can get much more joy for my money. I'm gonna take the same money and buy some polish, calcium and vitamin D (as someone mentioned) and work on my own nails and use the left over money in a more frugal and neighborly use. "

By notwrong

Tips:

Other ideas for small doses of philanthropy:
Buy $30 worth of toiletries to donate to a local woman's shelter.
Take $30 worth of canned goods to a local food pantry.
Save the $30 a month until the holiday season, and provide a nice meal and gifts for a family in need.
Buy $30 worth of books to donate to your child's library.
Do you have other ideas?

From Thriftyfun.com: How to Fill a Stocking For Free

2009-12-02T09:45:00.000-06:00

From Thriftyfun.com

"We all love stockings. Up until just a few years ago, my mom would still give me one and it had always been my favourite gift to open. Stockings don't have to cost anything and are supposed to be filled with small trinkets and goodies, not things like $50 gift cards and iPods! Remember when we used to get clementines in there? What happened with that? :)

"Here are some things you can get for free, but plan early for some of these:

If you happen to go to trade shows or conventions, you can always get free things there. Have a look around. I usually go to a Health Show every year and get a free goodie bag with things in it.

Go to freebie sites, start collecting early and keep a box set aside for them. There are SO MANY free things to be had out there from big companies. A few years ago I kept a box with all the freebies I got just to see how full it would get. Over the course of a several months it was filled with things like books, cards, samples of makeup or soap, shampoos, cleaning products, amazing.

Craft Shows. Right around the holidays there are a lot of craft shows. Some crafters give out free samples of things that you can keep and set aside. (like soap pieces for example)

If you are planning to spend money on some holiday gifts, look for items that you get something free with purchase. This time of year that's easy! Use the free gift for a stocking.

Best Buy gives you a gift card if you trade in an old cellphone. So dig out that dinosaur phone of yours and bring it in!

Cash in credit card points or airmiles for free gift cards, magazine subscriptions, video rentals or movie tickets. They often don't cost a lot of points.

My drugstore often has deals where if you purchase a certain amount of goods at the store, you can get a free gift card of some sort. It is usually movie tickets or coffee cards. I rarely go in and spend $40 in one shot, so sometimes I wait till I need something big or lots of things then make a big trip so I can get the freebie.

Make some cool Rock Candy! Most people have sugar and food colouring in their pantry, so follow this recipe: http://candy.about.com/od/hardcandyrecipes/r/rock_candy.htm

Go to a department store and ask for samples of perfume and make up. Maybe get a free makeup application while you are there :)

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has a lot of free stuff to give away like stickers and booklets. Check out their website for all the freebies. http://www.peta.org/

Print out some free Baking and Cooking E-books here: http://www.preparedpantry.com/baking-guides.htm or some other independent books can be found here that are free: http://www.ebook88.com/shelf.html or do a search for free ebooks online.

Make Compilation CDs with the recipient's favourite music or a new band that they may not have heard of yet. Myspace.com has tons of free indie music that can be downloaded from upcoming artists!

I don't recommend eating at fast food places, but sometimes they will give away free trinkets for children, even crayons and a colouring sheet or book. I've seen people just come in and not buy anything and ask for a free toy for their child.

Make candy or caramel apples! Most of us have sugar and apples at home or this time of year you can probably still get some for free from farmers. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/halloween/candy-apples.shtml You can use recycled and washed chopsticks to put in the apple.

Make a free printable calendar for kids that they can colour in: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/calendars/a/2010calendars.htm

Have a swap or exchange with friends of items that you no longer want or things that you want to re-gift. This can include clothing, gadgets, handmade crafts, bath and body items (un-used), kids' toys, etc.

"Good luck and happy holidays everyone!"

Tips

The point is to get creative.

Last year my daughter requested a nice letter from us as parents instead of a gift in her stocking. The kids loved it, and that idea just might turn into a tradition.

Here's Where You'll Find Me on Black Friday

2009-11-26T08:41:00.006-06:00

Banana Republic Factory Store

Click here for a list of stores that open at midnight tonight!

Ann Taylor Factory Store

Tips:

Fight the crowds and go early. The point of these sales is usually to bring in lots of shoppers to clear out the racks. If you wait until the end of the sale, the selection will be picked over.
Don't forget the clearance racks, where you'll find the biggest savings. That's where I head first.

i.d. bare Minerals

2009-11-20T17:20:00.000-06:00

Normally, you would never find makeup as deluxe as i.d. bare Minerals in my makeup drawer. My sister, however, bought it for me (along with a mink kabuki brush--I know! She's generous.).

I love i.d. bare Minerals because...

I hardly feel it on my face.

it smooths the texture of my skin.

it hides blemishes.

it contains sunscreen.

Alas, mine has run out. I was half-tempted to rush to the cosmetic store and pay the $25 pricetag, but then I wouldn't be the Bargain Huntress.

Here's what I found:

eBay has it for $19.95 with free shipping.

If you prefer Amazon.com, the marketplace has it for $15.49 + $4.56 shipping.

Then I checked for alternative labels:

Kirkland Signature Natural Beauty Mineral Color Collection by Borghese, $24.99 + tax (includes foundation, bronzer, eyeshadow base, 3 eyeshadow colors, pressed eyeliner, 2 eyeshadow applicators, kabuki brush, and a retractable brush). Priced separately (at bargain prices) I came up with $75 total. That's a 66% savings.

Loreal Bare Naturale, which got good cyber-reviews, and is available for $12.49 at Target.

Questions to myself:

Is i.d. bare Minerals worth the price?

Do I really need all the extras in the Costco set?

Do I just want to spend the least amount of money?

Answers:

If you have to have i.d. bare Minerals, I would choose to buy on eBay, only because the ratings on that seller were excellent.

To get the most bang for your buck, try the Costco set.

To spend the least amount of money, go with Loreal Bare Naturale.

I chose option 2.

I bought the set at Costco , and love every bit of it. (By the way, the Costco website lists the set for $31.99, but my local warehouse had it for $24.99.) If I put too much foundation on, my daughter tells me it looks orange, but she said the bare minerals looked yellow if I put too much on, so it's a wash. I guess I need to practice a little more. I love the eyeshadow base and the eyeliner. All three eye shadow colors add subtle enhancement to my face.

Tips:

Want to get it even cheaper? Go to Ulta now, where Loreal Bare Naturale is buy 1 at $12.99) get 1 for 50% off, then use a $3.50 off coupon...2 for $16.50 + tax.

Making Old Tissue Paper Look Like New

2009-11-16T10:12:00.000-06:00

"While making gift bags for the local nursing home, I realized I had a lot of tissue paper from events past. All the pretty colors and patterns, I couldn't bear to throw it away so I flattened it out and decided to iron it. Worked like a charm.

"Take 3 sheets of tissue paper put them together put iron on polyester with a tad of steam. Iron on both sides. The one in the middle will be perfect too. Fold it accordion style and bingo: recycled tissue. When you think of how much of this stuff goes to the land fill every year, this is a good way to recycle. "

By Dancer from RGV, TX

Dallas Outdoor Expo

2009-11-10T14:10:00.001-06:00

Looking for a fun, low-cost family activity in the Dallas area?

Kids 17 & under are free. Adults are $5.

Tips:

Check their website for more info.

Panasonic NN-C994S

2009-11-06T14:39:00.001-06:00

Our trusty Tappan microwave finally went kaput after 15 years of constant use. All hell broke loose. Every day, I fix up something to pop into the microwave, only to turn around and find an empty shelf where the microwave used to be. That's when the expletives start ("crap" is a curse word in our house).

On the bright side, one of my old, dingy appliances finally needs replacing with something new and shiny and pretty!

My original plan was to replace my built-in oven and microwave with a built-in double oven and microwave, which would require some cabinet reconfiguring. Then when my microwave broke (the old oven still keeps going, and going, and going...), I started to look into my options and discovered that I could get a microwave with convection that would act like a second oven. Brilliant!

The cost of a double oven and microwave would cost about $2500, whereas a single oven and a convection microwave will cost me about $1500.

Here are the two convection microwaves I considered:

Sharp R-930

Panasonic NN-C994S

They both got good reviews. They're both about the same size and have most of the same features. The Panasonic has 1100 watts vs 900 watts for the Sharp. They were so close, in fact, I had to build a spreadsheet to make the decision for me. In the end, I (with the help MS Excel) chose the Panasonic NN-C994S from buy.com for $499.

Today the UPS guy saved my life. He delivered my Panasonic convection microwave. So far so good. The world can now start revolving again!

Tips:

Take your time. There are so many choices and so much information out there, it can be overwhelming. Try to make objective, methodical judgements about which is the best appliance for the right price. That's why I use Excel quite often. It's completely objective.
Set a budget before you start looking. It's easy to find something that's a little better, a little bigger, or has slightly better features. Pretty soon, you might get your heart set on something that's twice the cost of your original plan. Sometimes it's a reality check. Maybe your beginning budget was unrealistic for your needs. But maybe you can live without the microwave that has access to the internet and sets the table for you, too.

50% Off at Payless ShoeSource

2009-10-30T12:50:00.004-05:00

Get 50% off your entire purchase at Payless ShoeSource, courtesy of The Oprah Winfrey Show. You will find the coupon on her website. You can either print a coupon or send a text to receive a code on your mobile phone. The promotion is only good TODAY!

Tips:

Before you go, ask yourself, "Do we need shoes?" If the answer is yes, zip over there.
If you have the means this may be a good chance to buy shoes for those in need.

Homemade Face Paint

2009-10-27T11:31:00.002-05:00

From Thriftyfun.com:

This recipe is for homemade face paint.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. cold cream
1 Tbsp. corn starch, a little more or less, maybe, to make a nice paste
1/4 tsp. or more white food color - Wilton makes a great white food color.

Directions

Mix all together, then add any paste gel food color you want. Make different colors, put it in a child's empty watercolor pallet. The addition of the white food color makes it possible to use this face paint just like the real face paint. Use a wet brush and use just like the real thing.
This face paint does stain the skin, but use any dish soap with OXY in it and the paint comes off very nicely. OXY means that there is peroxide present in the product. Have fun.

Bargain Wax Paper

2009-10-21T06:40:00.000-05:00

From my Thriftyfun.com newsletter:

Use Cereal Liner as Wax Paper

"I seldom use waxed paper. In fact I usually only use it when my husband makes hamburgers on the grill, to layer the raw patties in so they won't stick. Instead of buying waxed paper just for this use, I save the waxy bags that line the cereal boxes. When I empty the box, I open the bag along the seam and roll it over a tube in an old waxed paper box and put in the drawer.
I never pay for it, and we always have it."

By Mom from Missouri

She forgot to mention it's a great way to recycle and get on the "Going Green" bandwagon.

Free TV and Movies

2009-10-14T06:38:00.000-05:00

From Thriftyfun.com:

"Hulu.com

is a free website where you can watch movies, TV shows, missed episodes;

all for free with no membership."

By Diane from Denver, CO

Fun Savings at Kohl's

2009-10-07T07:22:00.000-05:00

Kohl's is one of my favorite places to shop for clearance.

Here's what I picked up the other day:

Here's how I did it:

Girl's top (size 24 mo): Regularly priced $14; on clearance for $2.80.

Girl's shorts (size 24 mo): Regularly priced $16; on clearance for $3.20.

17" x 24" bath mat: Regularly priced $20: on clearance for $6.

Present coupon from the mail for $10 off any purchase.

Total: $2.15 (96% savings!)

Tips:

Keep shower gifts on hand. I get invited to a lot of baby showers, so I like pick up clearance-priced items ahead of time. Also, my Mom taught me to give clothes in bigger sizes (eg 18 mo to 2T), since new moms generally get a lot of stuff in newborn sizes.

Extra 40% off at Ann Taylor

2009-10-01T06:27:00.000-05:00

If you love Ann Taylor, now is the time to shop there. Like the ad states, "it doesn't get any better than this." This is the best sale of the year (held bi-annually, I think).

Tips:

Take 40% off the lowest price listed. So if the shirt's price is $30, then you pay $18.

Visit the store, too. You may find items in the store that are not online (and vice versa). Find the closest store to you here.

Homemade Drinkable Yogurt

2009-09-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

From thriftyfun.com

Homemade Drinkable Yogurt

"My kids love the Danimals brand drinkable yogurts, but they are such small servings and quite expensive. I make my own drinkable yogurt in a glass or plastic drink shaker. Combine 2 cups of any yogurt (blended, fat free, sugar free, any kind!) with enough milk to smooth it out and shake a few times. This will serve 3-4. Add more milk to get desired consistency. Serve or store in refrigerator. I put this on the table and the kids LOVE to see what kind of 'Danimal"'I've made.
To pack for a lunch, use a sturdy plastic beverage container, or save those single-serve chocolate milk bottles with lids, run through the dishwasher, and serve in those. Finally, here's a super hint: You can freeze this drinkable yogurt in ice cube trays. Add a toothpick and you have a yummy Popsicle or fun cubes to use in milk or more yogurt drinks or shakes. Enjoy!"

By Missy W

20% Off at Kohl's

2009-09-25T18:16:00.002-05:00

Tips:

Friday & Saturday only!

Old Navy Clearance

2009-09-24T16:56:00.002-05:00

A little birdie told me that Old Navy has all clearance another 50% off the lowest price. I had to go check it out this afternoon. I got:

Kids

2 pairs knit shorts
1 pair swim trunks
5 t-shirts
1 hat
1 pair leggings

Teens

1 pair knit shorts
1 bra

Mens

1 pair chinos

Womens

1 zip hoodie
2 pairs yoga capris

Can you guess what all this totalled?

$49! That's just over $3 per item.

Tips:

Avoid arguments. Bring at least one item home for each member of the household (except for your husband who told you, "DO NOT buy me another shirt"). That's how I stay the "nice mom."

Couponing I can get behind

2009-09-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

A question posed to me quite often: "Do you coupon?"

I disappoint many, I'm sorry to say, when my reply is, "No, not really."

I use Costco coupons, and occasionally those that come in the mail from stores such as Ulta and Bath & Body Works, but I never clip coupons from the newspaper. We don't even subscribe to the newspaper anymore.

I tried clipping coupons once years ago, but I decided the dollar savings weren't worth losing my sanity. I had a hard time keeping them organized, remembering which ones I should use on particular shopping trips, all while trying to debate my little children on their right to have attractive candy displayed at the checkout. I can still see the glare of the customers waiting behind me.

Forward to August 2009. Displayed at the self-checkout, a flyer for couponing (is that really a word?) catches my eye. Why the change of heart? I can load coupons to my reward card online. Now that I can get behind!

I have found 3 websites so far that provide the service:

You choose your store, enter your reward/frequent shopper card number, then start choosing coupons. They will even give you a shopping list that displays all the coupons you have chosen.

Tips:

Choose products wisely. To me it's not a great deal if it's something you would never buy. Additionally, a lot of the products I've seen coupons for tend to be processed foods, which aren't as healthy.
Get on board with me. The more popular the service is, the bigger the selection will be.

Since I'm new to coupons, I'd appreciate any comments or feedback that I have missed!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

2009-09-21T06:01:00.000-05:00

Heather and I got pioneer-ish again...this time it's homemade laundry detergent.

Supplies needed:

(From The Dollar Stretcher)

Washing Soda
Borax
Bar of soap
Water

Step 1: Grate bar of soap.

We grated all the soap and bagged the extra for future use.

(It looks like mozarella cheese, doesn't it? One of my kids almost ate some.)

Step 2: Boil 6 cups of water in a deep pot.

Step 3: Add grated soap and stir until dissolved.

Step 4: Add 1/2 C washing soda and 1/2 C borax. Stir over heat until dissolved.

Step 5: Remove from heat and pour into a large bucket.

Step 6: Add 4 more cups of hot water and mix well.

Step 7: Stir in 1 gallon plus 6 cups cold water and mix well.

Step 8: Let sit for 24 hours.

It's ready to go! Use 1/4 to 1/2 C per load of laundry. I have a large capacity washer, so I use 1/2 C. Despite my 13-year-old's fears, it worked great and did not disintegrate his clothes.

Cost:

One bar of soap = $0.30

Washing soda = $0.28

Borax = $0.18

Total cost for 64 loads (using 1/2 C) = $0.76

(Fab @ Sam's Club costs $7.12 for 64 loads)

You save about 90%!

Tips:

Ivory soap costs the least and dissolves well, but you can also use Fels Naptha, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps.
Washing soda too some effort to find. In the end a local hardware store ordered it for us.
Here are 10 more similar but different homemade laundry soap recipes.

P.S. Sorry it took me so long, Heather!

FREE Benefit BADgal Mascara

2009-09-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

From fabulesslyfrugal.com:

FREE Benefit BADgal Mascara at ULTA on September 19!

Starting September 15, 2009, bring the October 2009 cover of Seventeen or a printout of the seventeen.com home page to any participating ULTA store to receive a full-size tube of Benefit BADgal Blue Mascara (approximate retail value: $19). Eight thousand (8,000) will be given away, with an average of 24 available at each ULTA store location. Must be female, between the ages of 13 and 29.

Tips:

Not the right age? Recruit your daughter, a friend, or a friend's daughter.

Sale at Sephora

2009-09-12T18:56:00.002-05:00

Save up to 75% at Sephora online or in stores.

You can choose up to 3 free samples with any order.

Orders over $50 ship for free.

Tips:

Check in-store, too! Here's the store locater. Generally, there are deeper discounts on items in the store.
Go in with friends. Not spending $50? Get friends or family members to share an order to get the free shipping.

Homemade Softscrub

2009-09-11T06:15:00.000-05:00

I'm on a do-it-yourself kick right now. First, the burritos, now this homemade Softscrub,

and there's more coming....

Here we go with the Softscrub:

Supplies:

Vegetable oil based liquid soap (we used Murphy Oil Soap)
Baking Soda
empty bottle
funnel

Step one: Add 1/2 of a box of baking soda to a clean bottle. (I used an empty contact lens solution bottle with the tip cut a little larger.)

Step two: Add enough liquid soap until you get the consistency of icing. Keep adding a little soda or a little soap until you get the consistency you want.

Step three: Shake the bottle to mix thoroughly.

Here's the cost breakdown:

Baking soda: $1

Murphy Oil Soap: $1 (I only used about 6 oz of the 32 in the bottle.)

Softscrub cleanser costs about $5 or $6 at the grocery store, so we made it for 1/3 the cost.

That's all. It was a snap, and I love the way it cleaned my shower tile.

Here's my shower tile before the homemade softscrub (try not to get too grossed out):

And after...

Other shower cleaners took a lot more elbow grease than this did. I'm actually excited to clean it next time!

Tips:

Feel good about going green. You're not only saving money, but you're also cutting down on waste from containers.
Search "homemade soft scrub" on google to find other recipes to try.

One of a Kind Dress for Under $10

2009-09-09T14:58:00.003-05:00

Here's my do-it-yourself One of a Kind dress for under $10

I have to admit that the hem isn't finished. It turned out a little shorter than I wanted, so I'm deciding whether to keep it short and wear it with tights, or add ribbon, fringe, or some other embellishment to the hem.

Fabric: $2 (2 yards @ $1/yd from Walmart)

Pattern: $1 on sale at Joann's.

I may even wear it to church!

Tips:

Go for it! With fabric that cheap, even if you never wear, it's good sewing practice. I bought the whole bolt of fabric. Should I sew an overcoat, hat, and purse to match??
Don't give up. The neck band gave me some trouble, but the 3rd time was a charm.