Thanksgiving and Black Friday

Hey!  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that you got some really good deal on Black Friday!

This is year I had a quite Thanksgiving with my closest family members.  Both of my adult children help-out with the cooking and set-up for the feast. By not have my own wheels was not able to get out on Thursday evening to get some of the door busters.  Early on Friday, I was able to get out to Ollie's, Big Lot!  I was able to get some really good deals!

My strategy is for Black Friday shopping is to prepare my wish list at the same time I open the Christmas account last year.  My wish list for are for items I would like to have but are not a necessity that I have.  So with that list I check out the adds and decide if I will buy directly from the store or go online. I must say some of the online deals beat out what you will find in the store.

While most folks went to the big name discount and box stores I try to shop at the less popular spots that may not have a line 2 to 3 blocks long to get into the store such as Ollie's, Big Lot, Home Depot, Lowes, Sears.  There was also some good pre-Black Friday sales that I was able to get a few things. 
I also keep my receipts in case I need for return as stores are not so willing to take returns with out receipts but also to gauge how much I should save in my Christmas club for next year.  

Saving Money on Your Monthly Food Bill - Part 2

In this post we will continue to look at ways to save money on our monthly food bill.  How are you doing?  Are you making lists of what you need and then taking it with you to the market?  I like to also use the sales papers as my shopping list.  Reviewing the sale papers and circling items in the paper I plan to purchase.  Then figuring out how much all the items will cost. Another thing I do is keep labels or packaging of items that I don't buy on a regular bases along with any coupons in a Ziploc and items at my next visit to the market.

I have also notice that when Family Dollar, Ollie's, Big Lots have a sale you can't way around otherwise you may not get the sale item you want! The Dollar Store and Wal-Mart allow you to shop and pay for items online then pick it up at the store closest to you. Many times the items you will find online is cheaper than in the store. Let’s not forget about Sam Club, BJs for bulk items that you use all the time.

Also consider using the free information provided by many stores like Giant, ALDI's and discount stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and IKEA and other store magazines that offer coupons, recipes, and tips on how to displace food items, set a beautiful table.

The Comforts of Home

 

 

 

Well it has been a little while sent my last post.  With my life keeping me busy I just couldn't seem to find a quiet moment were I could sit and get all of my thoughts down on paper.  I know that you can write post from your Smart phone, tablet and the new lite weight laptop, but I enjoy using my old Dell laptop with my wireless mouse.  It’s a comfort thing.

I have decided that this will be a Pajama day.  This doesn’t mean you walk around the house with smelly and in old pajamas- it’s a time to pamper yourself.  Taking a nice candle light bubble bath using your favorite scented soaps.  Then slip into a nice caftan style lounge dress and don’t forget to put on a dash of your favor perfume and comfortable slippers.  Now you are ready for a cup of herbal tea and to plan out your day of what you will do around the house or you just may wish to catch up on some reading. 

While we are on the subject of comforts of home, have you ever gone on away for home for few days and missed some of your “creature comforts”.  The time to get these items together is not when you about to go away, but now when you have time to plan and be in a rush.  Frist, find a toiletry case my choice is the vintage skyway train case luggage suitcase make-up case for trips long trips.  You can find these vintage cases at thrift stores and online.  I also have a Vera Bradley toiletry bag that I can easily fit into my overnight bag.  When packing your toiletry bag think about your favor products you really enjoy using, make a list of these items and the next time you are in
Wal-Mart or CVS/Rite-Aide pick up the travel size items.  Also at the Dollar Store or Dollar Deals you can pick up toiletry bottles, soap dish and toothbrush holders. In a small Ziplocs bag place the softest face towel you can find and a the softest bath towel to wrap yourself in after a nice shower or bath.  I know that hotels and BB’s supplies towels, but it’s about comfort.  Travel Slippers the flat fold up kind you can get from just about anywhere pack those away too. 

Now in the age of Smart phones and all the technology all around us I still like to having my travel clock and portable CD/radio headphones and soon to be added is a Bose speaker.  Lastly, a suite case, overnight bags I should reflex your style.

 

 

   

 

 

Count Your Blessing Every Evening Before You Go To Sleep....

 

 

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.  And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.

Maya Angelou
Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer