http://littlemama.savingadvice.com info@savingadvice.com en-us http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/11/18/this-and-that_55196/ Made $300.00 last night selling the rest of our firewood. We priced it low as we really just wanted to get rid of it. The total made from firewood is $450.00. Not bad, not bad at all. Ironic that is the exact amout for the guitar that my son wants for Christmas...<br /> <br /> Speaking of Christmas,... Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:32:25 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/11/17/chase-points-and-grocery-points_55157/ I said in my last post I was going to start to keep track of my grocery spending on SA. I spent $26.30 buying hambuger and a few loss leaders. I saved $3.00 with coupons. I am going to wm today and price matching Kroger as we don't have one near us.<br /> <br /> Redeemed a few of our Chase points... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:19:41 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/11/16/bummed_55127/ I learned today that Taste of Home had some cookbooks on sale on their website. I found several I wanted and several for inexpensive Christmas gifts. When I went to check out over half were already sold out. Oh well...<br /> <br /> I really need to start posting more to keep myself accountable,... Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:48:20 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/09/09/facebook-and-other-odds-and-ends_53503/ Because of a friends urging I created a Facebook acct. Long story short, I'm addicted. I've connected with a lot of old friends. Ones that I have lost touch with many moons ago. It's exciting to catch up with these people. Hopefully I can get *something* productive done today.<br /> <br /> Adding... Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:41:55 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/09/02/just-updating-the-challenge_53346/ I'm adding $17.00 to the challenge for coupons bringing the total to $38.00. <br /> <br /> I have to run a few errands today in town. Money is tight for us right now so have to be careful. I will stick to my list, and use my coupons. <br /> <br /> ETA: Also adding $115.00 for change rolled, $5.00 for... Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:13:02 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/08/28/repurposing-_53236/ Yesterday I was looking on several frugal websites and came across repurposing ideas. The ideas were pretty neat. For example someone had an old chest of drawers, took the drawers out, put casters on them and used them as under bed storage. They then cut down the dresser, trimmed it... Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:36:02 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/08/26/saving-for-a-road-trip_53196/ I am oficially starting my $20.00 challenge. My family and I want to visit my dad for the Christmas holidays, so all monies saved will go to that trip. I saved $1.00 today by having Wal-Mart price match Kroger on milk. <br /> <br /> bal 20.00<br /> add 1.00<br /> now 21.00 every little bit helps.... Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:43:27 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/08/11/updated-my-sidebar_52853/ We added money to our emergency fund and I updated my sidebar. We are near 20,000.00 but have many home repairs that still need to be done. These are not repairs that I can do myself and DH is out of town working indefinately. I plan to get quotes for the work that needs to be done... Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:51:47 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/06/12/re-reading-tightwad-gazette_51656/ There are several books I read over and over. My favorites are Total Money Makeover and the Tightwad Gazette. They keep me motivated on my financial path. <br /> <br /> What are some of your favorites? Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:40:32 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/05/12/updated-my-sidebar_50978/ I deposited $1250.00 to the emergency fund and $525.00 to the escrow acct. today. Also made the mortgage payment for June today with two extra principal payments. I feel great! <br /> <br /> Tue, 12 May 2009 15:16:59 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/04/28/mystery-gardener_50617/ A few days ago I pulled into my driveway and noticed something was different. Someone had cut down my Impatiens. They had been cut to ground level! I asked my oldest if he had done it because he had commented that they were looking bad. He said he hadn't. (I agree they weren't looking... Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:15:00 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/04/21/other-things-i-have-done-to-lower-the-el_50496/ Anything that generates heat uses alot of energy. Oven, microwave, coffee pot, hair dryer, clothes dryer, etc. How do I know this? After Ike, we were running on a generator for 4 wks. (hard wired into the house) and when we used any of these things the generator would "bog down." This... Tue, 21 Apr 2009 06:46:22 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/04/20/electric-bill-reduced-further_50458/ Due to unplugging some items when not in use we have reduced our bill I am in total awe of the difference it has made. <br /> <br /> We are all electric and our bill this time of year usually runs abound $200.00. This last bill is $117.00!!!! If I figured it corectly, thats a 41% difference. WOW! Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:31:39 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/04/16/extra-principal-payment_50369/ For the past year we have been making an extra principal payment on our mortgage monthly. It has already knocked quite a bit off our balance. I am really gung - ho about paying this thing off, but life keeps throwing obstacles in our way. <br /> <br /> Just recently we had to take my SUV in... Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:04:50 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/04/15/how-much-for-a-yearbook_50335/ DD brought home a yearbook order form yesterday. The cost is $60.00! That's a little steep IMO. Evidently the school is justifying the cost by saying it is now in full color and the class with the most sales gets rootbeer floats. Well, I thought of not purchasing one, but can't do... Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:50:36 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/04/14/starting-the-20-challenge-better-late-th_50307/ Rolled my change a few days ago and am depositing $47.00 into the challenge. started out with more but had to fill some plastic eggs for the hunt with some change. Also adding $2 for no heat or air cond. <br /> <br /> On a different note, we will be adding more than usual to the escrow acct... Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:00:38 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/03/26/life-is-good_49786/ DH got transferred with his job for an indefinate amount of time. It's a bummer, but he still has a job, and for that I am thankful.<br /> <br /> On a different not, I got a $20.00 rebate in the mail yesterday and two free item coupons. I decided to donate this money to my favorite charity,... Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:22:29 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/03/23/phantom-energy-usage_49693/ Several wks ago I unplugged several things around our house that were not used on a daily basis. I just recieved my electric bill and it has been reduced by over 25%! Wow, that is a considerable difference.(Though I live in Texas and have'nt run the heat or air in almost a month.)<br /> <br /> My... Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:49:10 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/02/09/starting-over_48303/ I have not posted since the beginning of January. Since my step fathers death, everything seems to be in a whirlwind (including our finances.) So I am starting over. <br /> <br /> We are still doing renovations from hurricane Ike. Finally found someone who isn't out to gouge people. He does... Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:18:58 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama) http://littlemama.savingadvice.com/2009/01/09/i-dont-know-what-to-do_47152/ My stepfather recently passed away . My mother was married to him for nine years. When she called last Friday to tell me I rushed out the door to be by her side. The three hour drive seemed to take an eternity. We stayed the week and my kids missed four days of school.<br /> <br /> I feel helpless.... Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:23:49 PST gktillison@academicplanet.com (littlemama)