Happy New Year & Goodbye Shopping!

It is that time of year again, when many people make resolutions. I always like to spend at least a few moments to review the previous year, think about the upcoming year, and re-set my priorities. This year, I don’t have much to rehash, but I am looking forward to possible big changes this summer.

I am planning to move back to my house in Texas. Now, I wish I knew how or if it will all work out, but that is my plan. My tenant’s lease ends on July 31st. I would really like to get Lexi enrolled in kindergarten there, which starts the middle of August. My dream/ideal situation is for my company to put me back on full-time in September. I can enroll Jordan in the same place that Lexi was going before we left. He would start right after Labor Day. Sounds like a great plan, but I know life often takes us in different directions. I still really want this one though.

While my company is doing ok, the economy in Florida has been suffering. There are not a lot of contracts out there. I am desperately praying we win one so that they don’t have to worry as much about agreeing to the full-time. My other option is to look for a job, but I am hoping I don’t have to go that route.

In order to make this transition easier, I realize that I am going to need money. Most situations in life are easier with money, right? Knowing that, I have decided that it is time to become an extreme penny pincher. I have never been very good at it, but I am certainly going to try.

So, here is to a New Year of penny pinching for the greater good!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! I just love this time of year.  Spending time with family and a general sense of cheer just make life seem a bit better. 

We don't have anything too exciting planned this year. Unlike last year, no family members are coming to stay. Since we're living with family, we still get the benefit of spending the holidays with loved ones.  We have also tried to help a few people who are less fortunate than we are this year. 

I had planned to hold back on shopping, but as usual I kept finding things that I knew Lexi and Jordan would love. On top of that, my sister and mom enjoyed getting things for them. They will be very spoiled come Christmas morning. It will certainly be fun seeing their excitement.

Favorite Black Friday Activity

Last night, I decided to give shopping on Black Friday a try.  I had done it once before back when I was married and we went to spend Thanksgiving with his Grandma, Aunt and cousins.  His three cousins are all girls about my age and they love to go to Kohls every year.  We got up early and got there about 4 or 5 am, whenever it opened that year and were able to go right in.  We were able to get one cart and we would take turns standing in line while the rest of us would gather items.  Later, we went to Panera Bread for breakfast.  It was actually quite fun.

Sadly, my experience this year was nothing like that. First, I decided to go to Toys-R-Us at 10pm when they opened. Second, I couldn't get anyone to go with me. My mom and sister are still suffering from jet lag from their trip to Egypt and have been going to bed around 7:30 or 8pm every night. I probably should have picked Walmart at 5 or 6am and they would have been up for it.

I arrived at Toys-R-Us right at opening time to find an overly crowded parking lot and a line that wrapped around the entire building. In fact, the end of the line was directly in front of the door. I had to follow it all the way around. The first half of the circle went rather quickly, which gave me false hope. That was when they let in the first 300. Then about every 15 minutes, we moved up in line. They were letting 50 people in every time 50 had left. I kept waiting thinking that it couldn't take THAT long. Plus, Jordan's birthday was on my mind (Dec 1st). I thought that this was a good opportunity for me to shop for the kids without them. It ended up taking exactly two hours to get in the front door. I was still optimistic at that point. It was only midnight. I decided to grab a few things as well as a gift for Jordan and head home. As I was winding through the store, I noticed the extremely long line for the registers. I couldn't believe it, so I asked how long it was taking. I was told about an hour and a half to two hours. That is when I put my stuff down and headed right home, because I knew I was defeated.

From these experiences, I have learned that going with a fun group and making it more of a social outing is the only way that Black Friday should even be considered (for me anyway). From now on, I'll save my shopping for less busy times.

This brings me to my usual Black Friday activity, which is working on Christmas cards. I just love sending them out at the beginning of December. I planned to work on them today, but Lexi was also excited about making cards this year. I helped her make some for her friends. I'll have to start working on mine tomorrow. If any of the regular blog readers want to get on my list, just send me your contact info at: frecklefacegirl01@hotmail.com.

Let the Christmas Prep Begin

It seems like a lot of people like to complain about Christmas decorations and shopping happening earlier and earlier every year. Not me. I just love October, November, and December. I happen to like Halloween and Thanksgiving décor though, so I’ll wait until the beginning of December to start putting up the Christmas ones. There are a few Christmas things that I do like to start doing in November though – listening to Christmas music, preparing Christmas cards, and shopping.

The Christmas music has more to do with teaching my kids the songs. This year, I think we might go caroling at my mom’s work (the retirement home). Lexi and Jordan know quite a few songs, but it doesn’t hurt to get them down pat and learn a few more. I may even make a video of them singing to post on here in December.

As for the Christmas cards, I just like to send them off the beginning of December. In order to do that, I need to get a decent picture this month. That is the toughest part.  To make it easy, I will just order photo cards that I can pick up at the store. Next, comes addressing and stamping all of them. This whole process has to start this month in order for them to go out the first part of December. Now that I think about it, I’ll probably be putting that off this whole task for at least a week or two.

In reality, I just want to do the shopping. Unfortunately, funds are a little low this year.  I have been given a great coupon for this weekend though. It is for 30% off of Gap, Banana Republic, & Old Navy for as many times as I want to use it. I know someone who works for the Corporate Headquarters and they do this every year. The best part is that 5% of the purchases goes to the charity she picked, which is Big Brothers/Big Sisters. I love that one.

Shopping, Christmas cards, and Christmas music… how I love it all even in November.

Ebay Addiction

About once or twice a year, I get addicted to ebay. Not just any section of ebay, the one where people sell amazing home sewn outfits for little girls. I bid on way too much stuff, but I am really cheap so I do not win very often. I got lucky this week and got this really cute dress for $10. Last night, I made matching bows for it.  I have won a few more items too.   Yes, it is my idea of fun...

Ring by Cartier

During my warm-up at the gym everyday, I read magazines.  People bring in their magazines from home and leave them for others to read.  Since I am there five times a week, I get to read quite a few magazines.  You may have noticed that I am commenting more on articles and such. 

I have seen this ring, pictured above, in quite a few of the magazines.  I think it is beautiful.  I decided to find out how much it costs, despite the fact that I don't have any money or anywhere special to wear it.  I went on Cartier's website and they require an e-mail address for prices.  Since I had to sign up to find out, I thought I would share in case any of you were wondering too....

$26,700 

That makes it about the same price as my car.  Oh well...  My mom said that it would make a nice wedding ring.  Too bad I don't know any wealthy outstanding guys that are falling over themselves to marry me.  Oh & that I on my anti-dating kick, which pretty much ensures that I will not be finding someone in the near future.  To be honest though, I can't imagine having enough money to think that spending that amount on a ring is worth it.  There will always be someone who needs help.  Anyway, I think it is beautiful.

New Blog: The Design Buzz

My cousin, Kim, has started a new blog devoted to vintage items and her own designs. She also has an Etsy shop. Check it out:

The Design Buzz

New Outlook

Yesterday, I was forced to give up my dying little Saturn sedan. We have been together for eleven years. I had it paid off even before I met Steve. I can certainly say that we had a long relationship with very few issues. On Monday, it just started shutting off while I was driving. I coasted to the side & started it right back up, but I had a feeling this was an indication of much bigger problems. We took it to the shop that night and were told that the cost to repair it was going to be over $1,000, which is more than the little car is worth. We decided that it was time to shop for a Saturn Outlook, something we were planning to do this coming summer. Don’t worry about my poor little car; I sold it to the mechanic who was very excited because his family only has one car. It makes me feel better knowing that it is going to a good home.

We went to two Saturn dealerships yesterday and found exactly what we were looking for at the second one, well minus a dvd player. They are going to put one in for us though. Since I plan to keep this vehicle FOREVER too, it feels like I am starting a new phase of life. I am excited that we have a vehicle that we actually fit comfortably in, and that it will be more difficult for the kids to fight because they can’t reach each other, and that we can actually go on a driving vacation if we want to. Today, I am in love.

Next month, when I have to make the first payment after seven and a half years of not having one, I’m sure I’ll cry.

Coupon Challenged

The biggest challenge about being a SAHM is living with less money. I have been noticing how my friends deal with it and I am pretty impressed by their shopping expertise. When it comes to clothes, I am good at finding bargains and shopping around. Groceries, however, are another story.

Considering the fact that there has always been a big black hole that eats up my shopping list between the time I write it and the time I walk in the door of the store, it is no surprise that coupons are also difficult for me to handle. I can clip them out of the newspaper. Sometimes I can even remember to take them to the store with me. If there is more than one though, I cannot seem to give them to the cashier.

Last weekend, I got the closest ever. The list and the coupons made it through the whole shopping experience. As I was walking to the front, Jordan started crying. He was hungry, so I rushed to wrap it up. I felt bad for him, so I picked him up. In the process of trying to unload the food onto the conveyor belt, pay and reload the bags into the cart while holding him and entertaining Lexi, I forgot that the coupons had been shoved into my pocket. I didn’t remember them until the food was in the trunk and we were ready to take off.

I guess I will continue to clip coupons and make an effort, but I have realized that I am truly coupon challenged.

Sharing a Gem

As many of you know, I am a bingeing Ebay addict. It isn't a full time addiction. The madness only hits 3 - 5 times a year, but it hits hard. Once I spend too much, I quit cold turkey and don't even check out the deals for a few months. I currently happen to be getting over a binge that was quite fun. Like every time, it started when I wanted to buy some cute outfits for Lexi. I buy her play clothes at all the normal places, but every once in a while I like to buy unique outfits. I start looking in the handmade/custom clothing for little girls section on Ebay. Before I know it, I have bid on way too many great things and I actually hope I lose many of them. I won quite a few this time and in the process, I found a wonderful seller. Her name is duvalldiva. Not only does she fit my criteria, of being a talented mom that is trying to make money, but she is a great seamstress that uses a serger. I got two wonderful outfits from her. Here is a picture and video of the adorable Valentines outfit:





Now, I realize the point of Ebay is to compete for items and therefore it would be smart to keep a gem like this seller a secret. On the other hand, I will not be checking out her stuff for the next few months. I also think the items she currently has for sale are not quite as cute and the prices have gone up a little. On the other hand, she is a rising star so her OOAK (one of a kind) outfits are still cheaper than the big sellers. By the time I get back to my addiciton, she'll be out of my cheap price range. Because of that, I might as well help her in her quest for the big bucks.

For Frustrated Toy Shoppers

A few weekends ago, one of my friends told me that she intends to buy toys that are not made in China for Christmas. Two thoughts ran through my head:

1. Good Luck!
2. I received a catalog last Easter that had lots of items made in the USA & Europe.

I did not think I kept the catalog, since I usually do not hold on to things like that, but I found it this weekend. Here is a link to their website: Magic Cabin. I am sharing this, because there may be other Christmas shoppers out there that have the same goal. This is not a recommendation, because I have never ordered from them before. They also seem to be a bit pricier than items from Toys-R-Us, but what do you expect when it comes from a country where wages are not pennies a day?

Now, I must get back to my online Christmas shopping. I was hoping to have more hands-on shopping this year, but I am supposed to be "taking it easy."

Becoming K-Smart

For household items, I usually shop at Target. Out of the three main places for this kind of shopping (Target, Wal-Mart & K-mart), I consider Target to be the more pleasant experience. Wal-Mart isn't bad, but there are no conveniently located ones in Miami. Of course at the bottom of the list is K-mart. I pretty much detest that place. I am completely convinced that the Miami stores actually go out of their way to hire employees that don't care, like messes, move slower than turtles, like to argue, and basically try to make the shopping experience a pain. As you would guess, I avoid them. I probably go once a year when I am looking for a particular item that I didn't find anywhere else (like a certain colored towel from their Martha Stewart collection).

Yesterday for some reason, I decided I should go there during my lunch break. There is one near my office. (Sorry, this isnt one of those posts where I have a witty story about how bad it was.) Actually, I was pleasantly surprised. They must have changed their recruiting strategy. The employees were actually helpful. I also stopped in their baby section to buy diapers & stuff and noticed that they had cute clothes. Yes, I buy cheap clothes for Lexi to wear to daycare. They come back messed up anyway and she gets nice ones for the weekend.

I guess my point is that next time I think about going to the old K-mart, I will not be dreading it. It didn't work its way to the top of the list though.