So, we're going to start a coupon train!
Here are the deets:
Every Tuesday morning 10-11am
Bring your coupons and your grocery list and trade or beg for the coupons you want
I have devised a plan for having some extra coupons and I'm hoping to put it into action this weekend
I will have the address next week for you
Oh and by the way, I hear an awesome sale at Albies is coming soon... I have no details yet, but I'll tell you when I do.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Local class for Rigby-ites UPDATED!
So, my pal Mel conned me into helping at church with some computer and frugality type classes.
(She is very tricky to con me into it, btw.)
Anywho... I'm going to do a "Christmas shopping done by July" class in January.
We will talk about budgeting for the holidays, the plan of attack and how to hold to a budget while still getting good crap for Christmas. I think people will enjoy it.
I don't know when it will be, I think the churchy ptb will tell me when to do it, but I do think I'll do it at a place where laptop computers can be used. Should be fun and to be blunt, I don't friggin' care if you church it with me or not, I'm cool with anyone coming by if you want to try the early Christmas shopping experiment this year. It's really quite nice, promise! I've been doing it for years!
So, there you have it. More on this as the time approaches and I know the actually date and such.
Okay, this will be on the 29th of January (I believe that is the date that I was given) and will most likely be at my house. If there is a bigger signed up turnout than I forsee, it will move to the church 2 blocks away from my house and I will give the address.
Here is what I'm going to cover:
Why start Christmas shopping now
Who to put on the list and why
How many gifts to give kids and whatnot
When and where to buy depending on the gift genre
How to maintain a LOW budget
The cool thing is that you can apply this to lots of other parts of your budgeting life, but I'm a believer in practical application and baby steps to becoming a true frugalista.
So, there you go. I'll be posting more classes soon!
(She is very tricky to con me into it, btw.)
Anywho... I'm going to do a "Christmas shopping done by July" class in January.
We will talk about budgeting for the holidays, the plan of attack and how to hold to a budget while still getting good crap for Christmas. I think people will enjoy it.
I don't know when it will be, I think the churchy ptb will tell me when to do it, but I do think I'll do it at a place where laptop computers can be used. Should be fun and to be blunt, I don't friggin' care if you church it with me or not, I'm cool with anyone coming by if you want to try the early Christmas shopping experiment this year. It's really quite nice, promise! I've been doing it for years!
So, there you have it. More on this as the time approaches and I know the actually date and such.
Okay, this will be on the 29th of January (I believe that is the date that I was given) and will most likely be at my house. If there is a bigger signed up turnout than I forsee, it will move to the church 2 blocks away from my house and I will give the address.
Here is what I'm going to cover:
Why start Christmas shopping now
Who to put on the list and why
How many gifts to give kids and whatnot
When and where to buy depending on the gift genre
How to maintain a LOW budget
The cool thing is that you can apply this to lots of other parts of your budgeting life, but I'm a believer in practical application and baby steps to becoming a true frugalista.
So, there you go. I'll be posting more classes soon!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
People who have ever made a children's product and received money for it, read this please
Please know I'm handing you a gift. I read this blog a lot, the woman is a genius. I am not the most amazing business owner in the world, but I believe I run my business very ethically and things like this MATTER. Read it, spread the word. Please, tell anyone you know that this might affect, seller and buyer alike. It's important which is why I won't stop talking about it.
Here.
Here.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Okay Cloth Diaper lovers (or wannabes) Here's a site I just found!
And I adore it!
www.clothdiaperclearance.com
They have my favorite brand of cds, the Mommy's Touch pocket diaper with snaps! Woot!
Mama's getting a few replacement diapers for Christmas...
Oh and check their sale price on Babylegs... not too shabby!
www.clothdiaperclearance.com
They have my favorite brand of cds, the Mommy's Touch pocket diaper with snaps! Woot!
Mama's getting a few replacement diapers for Christmas...
Oh and check their sale price on Babylegs... not too shabby!
Down East Basics Warehouse Sale in IF! Run!
So, I just took the baby to the dr (not fun) and I decided to get another $25 gift card from Walgreens for taking my prescription there (I heart free money). While I waited it wandered up to where the Linens and Things by Ross was and checked out the warehouse sale.
Holy Crap.
Shirts for 2.50! The long ones!
Dresses for under $10
Shoes for $10
Hats (I got a floppy one and yes I know I can't pull off hats. Can't blame me for trying.)
There were some casual sport coats for $25 or less, winter coats, sweaters aplenty and more crap than I can tell you of. Totally awesome. Had I not been wearing a baby, chasing a 3 yo and holding coats for the baby, 3 yo and 6 yo (who was an angel) I would have really gotten into it. But, alas, children keep me on my budget.
Anyhow, go party! Think of me... wishing I was there too!
Holy Crap.
Shirts for 2.50! The long ones!
Dresses for under $10
Shoes for $10
Hats (I got a floppy one and yes I know I can't pull off hats. Can't blame me for trying.)
There were some casual sport coats for $25 or less, winter coats, sweaters aplenty and more crap than I can tell you of. Totally awesome. Had I not been wearing a baby, chasing a 3 yo and holding coats for the baby, 3 yo and 6 yo (who was an angel) I would have really gotten into it. But, alas, children keep me on my budget.
Anyhow, go party! Think of me... wishing I was there too!
Cheap q tips!
I don't know a lot about this site, but I got this from pyp (which doesn't mean that they condone the site either, but I have to give credit where I found the info.
Here is the link
Here is the link
Thursday, December 11, 2008
HOT girls toy for Christmas! Sooo worth it!
Check out the cheapness of the Rose Petal Cottage for your little girls!
33.99 and free shipping! Plus, still time for Christmas!
Here! Thank me later!
Cabbage Patch Doll 12.99 at this moment
Tonka Scoot toy thingy12.99
More later!
33.99 and free shipping! Plus, still time for Christmas!
Here! Thank me later!
Cabbage Patch Doll 12.99 at this moment
Tonka Scoot toy thingy12.99
More later!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Some thoughts on grocery deals this time of year
Just some shopping ideas for you.
If you are good on groceries, try stocking up on medicine. There are a ton of sales on cold and flu meds right now, and they last for years. Plus, you will be soooooo happy if you don't have to go out late on a Saturday night and spend $7 on some cold medicine you could have in your storage that only cost you $2.
Also, now is a great time to go halfsies with a pal on a Sam's Club or Costco membership. Or ask your mommy and daddy for a membership. If you are still working on getting that food storage put together, buying bulk flour, sugar, rice, beans and popcorn kernels can be a life saver.
On that thought... watch for 18 gallon rubbermaid (or any brand really) totes. Great for holding 25lb bags of sugar, flour, etc.
Tis the season to worry less about food items (if you can) and more about bulking up on meds and such. (But watch for a General Mills sale... yoplait, gm cereal, fruit snacks...)
If you are good on groceries, try stocking up on medicine. There are a ton of sales on cold and flu meds right now, and they last for years. Plus, you will be soooooo happy if you don't have to go out late on a Saturday night and spend $7 on some cold medicine you could have in your storage that only cost you $2.
Also, now is a great time to go halfsies with a pal on a Sam's Club or Costco membership. Or ask your mommy and daddy for a membership. If you are still working on getting that food storage put together, buying bulk flour, sugar, rice, beans and popcorn kernels can be a life saver.
On that thought... watch for 18 gallon rubbermaid (or any brand really) totes. Great for holding 25lb bags of sugar, flour, etc.
Tis the season to worry less about food items (if you can) and more about bulking up on meds and such. (But watch for a General Mills sale... yoplait, gm cereal, fruit snacks...)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
If you have EVER purchased a CHILDREN'S product, READ THIS please!
I am copying this from my friend Rochelle who said everything very eloquently:
In a nutshell, if I can.
Last year Congress passed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement
Act. At the time I cheered their decision, after all who wants tainted
lead toys flooding our markets? However, as they time has come to
implement this new law, it appears that there is some serious
misunderstanding going on.
As of February 2009, all products intended for use by children must
have been tested for lead. This includes products like wraps, where
the fabric is extremely unlikely to contain any lead, and if it does,
it would certainly be well under the limit. Nevertheless, each
different colorway must be tested by the manufacturer, and/or the
importer and/or the retailer, at a cost of $150-$500 per test. This
also includes handmade wooden toys with only a pinpoint of paint for
the two eyes. It doesn't matter if you know that the paints you use
are lead free. You must have the test results on file from a
government approved to lab to prove it. There are no exclusions as of
yet. The law states that there can be exclusions, but since they have
not been established, everyone who does not have the test results on
file will be non-compliant come February. Non-compliance can have
penalties of up to $100,000 per incident and felony jail time.
Not only is the testing ridiculously expensive, and required even in
cases where common sense would say otherwise, but the labs are too
few, and too full, and cannot possibly meet the demand between now and
February. (That is the situation we are in. We have already had our
rings tested due to European standards, but those test results don't
count because they were not done by the approved labs.)
If we do not make a HUGE uproar, then starting in February you will
not be able to buy WAHM diapers, WAHM baby carriers, handmade wooden
toys, homeschool supplies, cute Etsy clothes, or anything else made by
a micro business (soft star shoes, etc). Well, I suspect that a black
market will spring up, but everyone will be in serious danger should
they be found out.
Please, join the facebook groups, sign the petitions on ipetition,
write to your congress people. I absolutely want them to do something
about lead in toys and dishes and other dangerous children's products,
but they have got to find a way to do it that does not put responsible
small businesses under, further endangering our economy.
Please let me know if you need more info.
Rochelle
www.SlingRings.com
For more info:
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/166874?m=7e3959a1
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38306568596
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/national-bankruptcy-day/
http://blog.thenatureschild.com/2008/12/open-letter-to-my-senators-and.html
http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/
http://www.naag.org/congress-passes-product-safety-legislation.php
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.html#whatsnew
http://www.challengeandfun.typepad.com/
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/video
Kimber here.
Look, I love a deal. I really do. But, I also love the opportunity to buy handmade products (see I get deals on lot of stuff so I can spend the money on boutique type items.) I also have a business that will no longer exist if this happens, so I worry there too.
For those of you who make little blankies, bibs, diapers, etc... Sell fabric, patterns... it will affect you too. Please let your voice be heard.
Here is what I am telling local news outlets:
My name is Kimber Tower. I am the owner of Ball Baby Carriers LLC in Rigby Idaho. Some of you have interviewed me before, some have not.
I wanted to pass along some information that is currently spelling disaster for my business and every small business in the US that makes children's products. I have attached many links with more information for you in the interest of not writing a novel.
Long story short for me as a baby carrier business: I will have to test every fabric I use to make carriers, every thread, tag... essentially anything I use to make a baby carrier; for lead. This will cost me about $100-$500 per item. I use over 100 different fabrics and threads, so you can see how expensive that would be. If I don't comply I could face fines of up to $100,000 and felony jail time. This will include my current inventory, so unless I liquidate before February 10, 2009 I will either be selling contraband or I will have to sit on all that merchandise. Either way, I will be out of business.
Many are calling this "National Bankruptcy Day" and for good reason. This won't just affect me. This will affect small businesses who sell on ebay, etsy... the grannys at you local craft fairs, boutiques, fabric stores... the list goes on. And for the buyers, they will no longer be able to get darling hand created items that support their small local businesses. Some popular products in you local baby stores include: Cloth diapers, baby carriers, babylegs, hats, bows, blankets, diaper bags, etc.
Please, please look into this and how this will hurt our local economy. People need to be aware of what will happen if changes aren't made.
I am happy to talk to anyone further about this, but I will tell you honestly, I am not an expert on it yet.
In a nutshell, if I can.
Last year Congress passed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement
Act. At the time I cheered their decision, after all who wants tainted
lead toys flooding our markets? However, as they time has come to
implement this new law, it appears that there is some serious
misunderstanding going on.
As of February 2009, all products intended for use by children must
have been tested for lead. This includes products like wraps, where
the fabric is extremely unlikely to contain any lead, and if it does,
it would certainly be well under the limit. Nevertheless, each
different colorway must be tested by the manufacturer, and/or the
importer and/or the retailer, at a cost of $150-$500 per test. This
also includes handmade wooden toys with only a pinpoint of paint for
the two eyes. It doesn't matter if you know that the paints you use
are lead free. You must have the test results on file from a
government approved to lab to prove it. There are no exclusions as of
yet. The law states that there can be exclusions, but since they have
not been established, everyone who does not have the test results on
file will be non-compliant come February. Non-compliance can have
penalties of up to $100,000 per incident and felony jail time.
Not only is the testing ridiculously expensive, and required even in
cases where common sense would say otherwise, but the labs are too
few, and too full, and cannot possibly meet the demand between now and
February. (That is the situation we are in. We have already had our
rings tested due to European standards, but those test results don't
count because they were not done by the approved labs.)
If we do not make a HUGE uproar, then starting in February you will
not be able to buy WAHM diapers, WAHM baby carriers, handmade wooden
toys, homeschool supplies, cute Etsy clothes, or anything else made by
a micro business (soft star shoes, etc). Well, I suspect that a black
market will spring up, but everyone will be in serious danger should
they be found out.
Please, join the facebook groups, sign the petitions on ipetition,
write to your congress people. I absolutely want them to do something
about lead in toys and dishes and other dangerous children's products,
but they have got to find a way to do it that does not put responsible
small businesses under, further endangering our economy.
Please let me know if you need more info.
Rochelle
www.SlingRings.com
For more info:
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/
http://apps.facebook.com/
http://www.facebook.com/group.
http://www.fashion-incubator.
http://blog.thenatureschild.
http://nationalbankruptcyday.
http://www.naag.org/congress-
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/
http://www.challengeandfun.
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/
Kimber here.
Look, I love a deal. I really do. But, I also love the opportunity to buy handmade products (see I get deals on lot of stuff so I can spend the money on boutique type items.) I also have a business that will no longer exist if this happens, so I worry there too.
For those of you who make little blankies, bibs, diapers, etc... Sell fabric, patterns... it will affect you too. Please let your voice be heard.
Here is what I am telling local news outlets:
My name is Kimber Tower. I am the owner of Ball Baby Carriers LLC in Rigby Idaho. Some of you have interviewed me before, some have not.
I wanted to pass along some information that is currently spelling disaster for my business and every small business in the US that makes children's products. I have attached many links with more information for you in the interest of not writing a novel.
Long story short for me as a baby carrier business: I will have to test every fabric I use to make carriers, every thread, tag... essentially anything I use to make a baby carrier; for lead. This will cost me about $100-$500 per item. I use over 100 different fabrics and threads, so you can see how expensive that would be. If I don't comply I could face fines of up to $100,000 and felony jail time. This will include my current inventory, so unless I liquidate before February 10, 2009 I will either be selling contraband or I will have to sit on all that merchandise. Either way, I will be out of business.
Many are calling this "National Bankruptcy Day" and for good reason. This won't just affect me. This will affect small businesses who sell on ebay, etsy... the grannys at you local craft fairs, boutiques, fabric stores... the list goes on. And for the buyers, they will no longer be able to get darling hand created items that support their small local businesses. Some popular products in you local baby stores include: Cloth diapers, baby carriers, babylegs, hats, bows, blankets, diaper bags, etc.
Please, please look into this and how this will hurt our local economy. People need to be aware of what will happen if changes aren't made.
I am happy to talk to anyone further about this, but I will tell you honestly, I am not an expert on it yet.
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