Inexpensive Halloween Costumes
Welcome back!
My sister and I getting ready for Halloween
I grew up in a lower-middle class home. We had the basic necessities but extras such as store bought halloween costumes were something that we just didn’t buy. Don’t get me wrong, there were a few time when we were able to do that. However we found that usually the quality wasn’t very good and the costumes did not last very long. My mother decided to instutue a new costume policy in our house, we had to make our own costumes. This may sound cueul but actually it was a blast! My sister and I were discussing this recently and she said, “half the fun was seeing who could be more inventive…and usaully i would lose.” Some of my happiest memories were putting together our costumes.
My sister and I would brainstorm for weeks about what we wanted to dress up as for Halloween. Once we had decided what we wanted to be, we would set to making our costumes. We would usually go the thrifts store and find pieces that would work for our costumes. The thrift store always had wonderful surprises for us. From there we would raid our closets and our mother’s closet. We could usually put together a costume for under $10. My mom would do our make-up to go along with our costumes. We would have so much fun that our friends soon joined in as well, and stated making their costumes too.
The funnest part of Halloween was making my costume with my sister. We always had so much fun.
Some of our thrift store costumes included:
A Geisha- made with a silk Japanese robe found at the thrift store
A 1950’s Woman- Made with a vintage dress and jewelry from the thrift store
A witch- Made with a black dress that we shredded ends of.
Fall (the season)- Made with sprigs of fall leaves from the dollar store
A mouse- Made with an old gray terry-cloth robe found at the thrift store, and a pair of store bought mouse ears.
Cleopatra- A large white sheet draped across like a Egyptian dress bought at the thrift store.
How to Find Good Deals Without Going to the Thrift Store
Every fall I set aside a little bit of money and I revamp my wardrobe. I try to replace articles of clothing that I have either ruined over the past year or have not held up. I usually try to stick to staple pieces, which are garments in a wardrobe that will not go out of style. A while button down shirt is an example of a staple piece for a wardrobe. I also usually buy a trendy piece or two for the season. I try to keep my trendy piece very inexpensive, because after all, who knows how long they will be in style.
This year before my annual wardrobe revamp, I took stock in what I already had in my closet and what was missing. I made a list and followed it strictly. Prior to shopping I went to the mall and just browsed. I purposely left my pocketbook at home. I know what you are all thinking… Jackie the mall is the most expensive place to shop…. Yes, the mall can be the most expensive place to buy clothing but, if you are dedicated you can find excellent deals.
When I did go back to the mall to actually buy clothing, I asked my sister to tag along. Having someone with you who will be brutally honest about how you look in something is very important when updating a wardrobe. As we walked through the stores, I was shocked at how pricey everything was.
My sister asked me if she could pick out an ensemble for me to try on and I said that she could. She picked a beautiful outfit; trouser jeans, a teal top and a cropped jacket. It looked like a million bucks, but it also costed close to it too. I really liked what she picked out but it was just too pricey. She was cross and remarked to me that I should go back to the thrift store. I disagreed with her and explained that there are deals to be found in the mall but one must be extremely choosy.
I ended up buying a pair of trouser style jean, which my sister had picked out. When I got to the register, I was informed that a second pair of pants were completely free! So, in the end, I found a great deal, I bout two pairs of trouser- jeans for under $50. The jeans were the only pieces of clothing that I purchased from the mall.
I finished my fall shopping at H&M. I highly recommend this store. Their prices are extremely reasonable. I ended up spending under $100 there and got everything I needed. While the thrift store can be wonderful, so can buying clothing from other stores. The main idea here is to keep in mind value. Is a shirt really worth $30? How much will you wear the piece? Will it last the test of time?
Starbucks.. It’s OVER!
I know I have blogged about Starbucks before and my very expensive latte factor. However, I do occasionally treat my self to a latte every now and then. A few days ago my sister gave me a coupon to get a free pastry with a coffee purchase on July 21st. I thought to myself that this might be an occasion to go to Starbucks. Boy was I wrong!
The First Try
I got up early this morning (july 21st) to go redeem my free pastry from Starbucks. I got into line at the drive through and waited for about twenty minutes when I realized that I forgot my coupon on my desk at work last night. As I pulled up to make my order I mentioned this to the barista. She told me that I would not be eligible for the promotion without the coupon. Upon hearing that, I told her I would not be purchasing anything and I left. After all what was one free pastry to give away?
Let’s Try THis Again
When I got to work, I found the coupon on my desk and I figured that I would give this whole “free pastry” thing another go. Since I was now at work, I offered to redeem the coupons for my co-workers who had placed their orders with me. Each co-woker had handed me cash to pay for their orders separately. I made sure that I had the coupons for the pastries as well. (I was only using 3 coupons) I stopped to examine the coupons before I left, to make sure everything was in order. These coupons did not have bar codes on them or redemption codes or numbers, which I thought was odd.
When I got to Starbucks I went in and proceeded to place the first order and use the coupon. The barista at the cash register stopped me abruptly and said that I could only use one coupon per customer. I explained that my orders were for three separate people, and that I would be paying for them separately. The barista said that did not matter to him. Here is where I lost my cool. I asked the barista if he really thought that three totally different coffee orders were really just for me? Starbucks would not budge, I ended up purchasing the other two pastries that I had told my co-workers I would be bringing back for them, out of obligation to my co-workers.
STarbucks… It Is OVER Between Us!
Upon returning to work, I quickly decided that my disappointment would be shared in my twitter-shpere. As it turns out, I was not the only unsatisfied costumer today. I have been an avid Starbucks drinker for years. I am actually embarrassed to think about how much money I have spent in their stores. Well, folks… I have spent my last dollar at Starbucks! It amazes me to think that they have lost my business over two pastries…. bad call Starbucks!
Garage Sale Time
For many areas here in the United States, warm weather is returning with the spring, this means one thing, garage sale time! I am starting to notice more and more signs advertising garage sales. I have always loved garage sales. The saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is true.
I have found many great deals at garage sales. Last summer I bought an antique table for $10! I stripped the cotton-candy pink paint off of it and now it is a lovely dinning table. It took a little bit of work to make it right for me, but not only did I get a wonderful price on it, I have a sense of pride when I look at it.
I do have a few tips on how to make the most of your garage sale outings.
The Local Newspaper
My first tip is to get your local newspaper on Friday and Saturday mornings. In the classified ads, garage sales are often listed. The ad usually includes what will be sold at the sale and it will give you the address and hours. I also find that I can usually plan a route for my morning of garage sale shopping.
Get Up Early
The best things in a garage sale usually sell very early in the morning. Most people who do this as a serious hobby go very early to get the good finds. I usually try to be out by 7a.m. shopping and browsing local garage sales. The beauty of being out early is that if you see something you like, you do not have to buy it right away, you can return at the end of the day and usually buy the item at a cheaper price. However, if you do not want to risk that item being sold throughout the day, just buy it then.
Do Not Be Afraid to Haggle
Keep in mind, that most people have garage sales because they either want to get rid of stuff laying around the house or the want to make some money. Either way, they want to make a sale. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better price on an item, remember you are not shopping at Macy’s you are shopping in someone’s driveway. Also keep in mind, that the worst thing that could happen is the person says, “no.” I always try to pay less than the item is listed for.
Bring a Larger Vehicle
You never know what you will find out on you garage sale adventure. I found my dinning room table while I was out on a bike ride with my husband. The couple we bought it from were more than happy to hold it for us so we could return with our car.
Take a Friend
Just like a day of regular shopping, garage sale days can be a fun event with a couple friends. If you are looking for something in particular, let your friend know, an extra pair of eyes may help you spot exactly what you are looking for.
Brunch on a Budget
When I think of brunch, I think of elegant food and mimosas. I also think about how expensive it can be to host a brunch in your home. I recently had the pleasure of having my mother and her boyfriend to brunch at my house. I love to entertain, but it can be pricey.
I was delighted at the thought of having my mother over for the first time since I had moved into my new home. However, the dread of how much a brunch meal was going to cost set in. Rather than freak out about the situation. I decided that I would spend as little as possible and still have a wonderful brunch. Brunch is supposed to be a mix between lunch and breakfast foods.
I started my planning with by looking online for traditional brunch menus. I searched many websites so I could get a well rounded idea of what to serve. After I had a good idea of what kind of food I wanted to serve, I looked up some brunch recipes. I took stock of what I already had in my pantry and went from there. I found some wonderful recipes on the Food Network website. Not only were some of the recipes inexpensive to make, but they were sophisticated. From these recipes, I made a shopping list.
Once I got to the grocery store, I priced out everything I would need. I chose generic or store brand goods where I could. I spent less than $15 on my whole meal! My brunch, looked beautiful and tasted delicious. It looked as if I had spent a fortune. I simply took everything I had bought and put it in nice serving dishes. My table looked beautiful.
We all had a wonderful time. My guests were very impressed with all of the yummy foods that were available. I will include my menu for those of you who are interested. As always, continue to enjoy entertaining in your home, just remember it does not have to be expensive to do.
Brunch Menu
Fluffy scrambled eggs with a dash of seasoning salt
Cinnabon cinnamon rolls from Pillsbury
A cheese filled coffee cake (store bought)
A container of “mini muffins” which included blueberry, lemon and bananna nut (store bought)
A bag of frozen blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
Fried potatoes with onion
Coffee
Tea
Orange Juice
Milk
Top 10 Ways to Redecorate A Room Spending Next to Nothing
During this economic crisis many are learning that their home really is their castle. People are spending more time at home due to the economic issues. People are once again returning to those dining rooms and living rooms that were neglected by eating out and going out for entertainment.
Spending more time at home, sometimes gives people the “itch” to redecorate. Well, in these difficult times, it is not feasible to go on a spending spree to redo a room in your house. However, there are ways to spruce up a room and still spend very little. If you must buy items to redo your room, try the thrift store, garage sales and Ikea. So without further ado, here are my top ten ways for redoing a room on a tight budget:
A Can of Paint
This is my favorite way to redo a room. I love changing the color in a room. When you paint a room it becomes your special space. It’s like leaving a mark saying that you were here. Paint does not have to be expensive. I usually look in the returns section of the paint store. You can get really nice colors at a fraction of what you would normally pay. The best thing about paint is, if you don’t like it, paint it another color!
A New Rug
Carpeting a whole room is really pricey. If you have horribly stained carpet and you cannot afford to replace it, try buying an area rug. Area rugs do not have to be pricey. Most retailers like Target and Walmart sell them. You do not need an area rug that costs thousands of dollars. You can also check on line for a rug as well. I would also suggest your local thrift store. In many cases the cost of the rug and a shampoo is cheaper than buying one new. Believe it or not, an area rug can change the whole feel of a room.
Re-arrange Your Furniture
I know this sounds silly, but it can totally change your room. I constantly try this trick. It drives my husband crazy, but it allows me to show off the room and furniture in different ways. I can breath some life into an old boring room. Just be careful when moving furniture around to not hurt yourself. Also, if you have wood floors make sure not to drag furniture, as to not scratch the floor.
Switch Out Art Work
This is a great trick to give an old piece a new life. If you are redoing your room and there is a print that is hanging in another room, try hanging it in your new room. You can bring in new colors and patterns through artwork. If you don’t have any artwork, try and create something yourself. I know this might intimidate some, but give it a try, you might surprise yourself. If you are not artistically inclined, but you have children, try hanging some of their artwork.
Accessories
This is the easiest part of changing a room. Again, take things from other parts of the house. Picture frames are usually interchangeable. Use a large bowl as a centerpiece on your coffee table, or a breakfast tray. Glass items such as a vase can also bring new color into a room. The thrift store is a great place to shop for accessories. I never buy them new at any stores, they’re too expensive. I would also suggest garage sales.
Change Photos in Picture Frames
I always try to rotate pictures in the photo frames that I have. This is great way to update the look of your room. Wedding pictures, family photos or pictures of friends are great to swap out. Choose different pictures of loved ones and events to showcase.
The Infamous Couch Cover
I am the victim of dated furniture. My husband and I have handed down furniture. It is not the prettiest but, it is comfortable and clean. However, neither of my couches match. A quick way to fix ugly, dated, and dirty furniture is a couch cover. These can be pricey so look for a deal. You can also have your furniture re-fabriced. As always, when it comes to doing these things, they can be pricey, so shop for a deal. Keep in mind it should be much cheaper than replacing the furniture you have.
Throw Pillows
Throw Pillows are a wonderful to update a room. They can be easy to sew if you do not want to buy them. I do not own a sewing machine and am inept at sewing but, I managed to sew some very nice pillows that lasted forever. If the whole sewing thing is not for you, they can be purchased very cheaply. I would recommend Walmart or Ikea. I recently bout 4 pillows at Ikea for under $10. They’re soft and comfortable.
A New Bedspread
This is the best way to redo a bedroom for little or no money. If you have a reversible bedspread, you can switch sides for a while. If you have a duvet, try switching out duvet covers, which is usually inexpensive. Ikea has wonderful duvet sets which usually include the duvet and pillow shams. The thrift store is another wonderful place to buy new bedding. Just make sure to wash it well before using.
Change the Lighting
Properly lighting a room is very important. Lighting of a room either showcase a room or hides it in darkness. Try to move your lamps and lights around to evenly light your room. Try to avoid dark corners. You will be amazed what a difference an extra lamp can make to the appearance of a room. You can purchase lamps inexpensively. If you do choose to buy a lamp second-hand, be careful with the electrical components, the unit may not be up to code.
These few tip can totally change the look of a room. As always, try to make do with what you have. Walk around your house and take stock of what you have, this will help you re-arrange things in your home and give your treasures a new life. Have fun!
A Guide For the Newly Uninsured
As the economy continues to struggle the cost of living is rising for Americans. Many Americans are so strapped for cash that they are having to pick and choose which bills to pay. Lots of Americans do have health insurance through work and some purchase health insurance on their own as well. If you are one of the many Americans who is losing or has lost their health insurance recently, don’t panic. Welcome to the club!
Not having health insurance is not the end of the world if you are healthy. The first thing to do is not to panic. Millions of Americans go without health insurance every year. To survive without it is possible. here are a few tips that I as an uninsured individual live by.
Assess when you really NEED to see a doctor
If you have a cold or the flu there really isn’t a need to see a doctor. A doctor should not prescribe any antibiotics for these issues. Let the body naturally fight it off. Over the counter fever reducer and cold medication should do the trick. To keep from spreading illnesses like these, try to stay contained to one bedroom if possible. Make sure to not let others handle used tissues. Also keep some bleach wipes near the toilet, so that you can wipe the handle when you are done, do the same with door knobs and phones.
The Drug Store and the Pharmacist
For example if you have a stomach ache, try Pepto or Amoduim. These work wonders and cost only a fraction of what the trip to the doctors would. Also if you are going to a store that has a pharmacy, do not be afraid to ask the pharmacist medical questions. They can usually offer sound medical advice. They can usually help you choose the right drug to help you as well. They can also inform you of what illnesses are going around, and tell you the best way to treat it.
When it is Time to See the Doctor
Sometimes, you must go to the doctor. I usually throw in the towel when I have a cold or flu that won’t go away. Another red flag that it’s doctor time, is when someone has a really high fever that will not go away. A high fever is usually a warning sign of infection. Usually when symptoms get worse or do not fade, it is time to see the doctor.
If you do not have a regular doctor, I recommend going to an immediate care center. These facilities have a doctor on staff, and the bill is much more manageable than the emergency room. If you do have a regular doctor, when you are scheduling an appointment let the receptionist know that you do not have insurance. Usually when you let your doctor know ahead of time, they can work out a payment plan. They also can try to keep unnecessary procedures and tests to a minimum.
I am not a medical professional so please use common sense when taking my advice. Please do not sue me if you arm falls off cause you did not go to the doctor. The best thing you can keep yourself healthy. Exercise, eat right and get plenty of sleep. Try to keep unhealthy habits to a minimum. Best of luck to you all!
Resources for Recent Layoffs
540,000 jobs were cut last month, and this month is looking to be worse. It is a scary time to be employed and unemployed right now. Strong stable companies are shedding jobs in an effort to help their bottom line. However, where does that leave the receiver of a pink slip?
Well, if you have recently received a pink slip you are not alone. I came across a statistic the other day that said 70% of Americans know someone who has been effected by the economic downturn or laid off. In looking at that stat, it is amazing to me to see how rampant this really is.
As I was searching the net for information to aid those who have been recently laid off, I came across this article on Mashable.com. They have an article that lists the best 30 websites for those who are jobless right now.
This database of websites is wonderful! It is very rare in the vast universe that is the internet, to find such a detailed and concise list. The database, has sites not only how to find a new job, but how to manage your money until you do.
Ben Parr, the author says,
“But the worst time to panic is when you are laid off and lose your main source of income. We live in a new and powerful era of communication, one where we can find support, gather news, and network without ever leaving our computers.”
I would encourage all to take a quick glance at his database. This is a wonderful resource. I hope that this helps to those of you who have recently recieved that dreaded pink slip
How to Pawn Items
I live on the fringe of a major city, but I am also far enough that I can pickup a few local television stations. My area so far as been relatively insulated from the current recession. However, just east of me has not been so lucky. They have lost jobs at an alarming rate. Entire towns are closing down.
I sometimes choose to watch the local news from that area, because sometimes they cover the town that I live in. While I was watching the newscast last week, I thought to myself, what a different tone the news had taken in that area, within the past six months. Major stories on the last newscast included, where to get food, how to apply for financial assistance and announcements of more layoffs. It was truly sad to see.
I do not delude myself that people are really struggling right now but the real slap in the face came when the news did a story on how to pawn your valuables in order to keep your utilities on or feed your family. The story covered the basics of how to pawn items, and which items were bringing in the most money.
As I watched, the newscaster sifted through family heirlooms and wedding bands. It was heartbreaking to see people have to sell these things in order to survive. However, if I were faced with that situation, I too would sell my precious items to feed my loved ones.
Pawn shops are doing great right now in this economy. If you do end up in a situation where you must pawn your items, to stay afloat please make sure you understand the process. Pawn shops are not necessarily bad places, they are a business like any other.
How to Pawn
When you take an item to a pawn shop, you are essentially renting it with the option to buy it back from the shop owner. In some shops there is the option to come and buy the item back within a certain amount of time. Please be careful when you decide to do this, because in essence you are selling your valuables to another person. You will most likely never see that item again.
My mother learned this lesson all too well in the mid-1980’s after my youngest sister was born. Times were tight and she went and pawned her wedding band, to feed our growing family. She was left without any other choice. She sold the ring to a pawn shop, and she has looked for the ring ever since. She has never seen the ring again. I once asked her if she wish she would have not done that. She replied that of course she wish she still had the ring, but feeding her family was more important.
So, please keep in mind, that you may never be able to find the item that you pawn agin. Make sure that you can live with loosing it. Also do some homework as to the value of what you are pawning is. The most important thing to remember is that you do not have to sell it to the pawn shop once you are there. If you do not want to, then don’t.
The End of the 24 Hour Society?
As President Obama said, last week in his press conference, Americans are loosing jobs at an alarming rate. Stores are closing like crazy. I am amazed to see even bigger chain stores closing in my area.
We have become an around the clock society. So many stores offer 24 hour services, as opposed to 10 years ago. We have come to expect, that certain mega-retailers and drugstores will be open at all hours of the night, just incase we need something.
However, as the jobless rate goes up. and payroll gets harder to cover for many business’ large and small, will we start to see a decline in the 24 hour store? When I started to thing about this concept in depth, which I had never really done before. I was amazed at how expensive it must be.
A store that is open for 24 hours, 7 days a week must incur some serious costs. Payroll must be outrageous. If you thing about it, the store must be staffed at all times, usually with more than one person. Almost all 24 hour stores have a manager on duty, at all times. Managers are payed more than regular staff and are therefore more expensive.
Then I thought about,how much the energy costs of keeping your doors open at a 24 hour store must be. Heat, or air conditioning, lights, and water? That kind of usage must really add up quickly. Especially for a mega-retailer such as Walmart.
Taking all of these thoughts into account, I wonder, with the downturn in the economy will the 24 hour store survive? As we all know, retail sales are down sharply for the country. People are not out shopping. Which I would think would certainly effect the over night crowd that frequent 24 hour stores.
I am grateful for the store that stays open for 24 hours in times of sickness or emergency. However, I think that with stores being open constantly are slowly changing our society. We are able to do things like shop whenever we’d like that we were not able to do before now.
So, what does this current depression have in store for the 24 hour shopper? I guess only time will tell. Until then, covet your ability to feed your 2 am. fix for that Heath Bar or be thankful that you can buy junior diapers at 4 am.
