Frugal Friday with Marsha -- New Year Check In

I didn't get here last Friday to write up a first Frugal Friday of the year last week, but here I am now.

Let's see what's been going on with me in the savings and being Frugal area:

1.  For some reason, for most all of 2016, I stopped using the shopping and earning apps.  I rarely used shopkick, checkpoints (bonus code is my email address marsha.seiberling@gmail.com), checkout51, savingstar, ibotta, or receipthog.  I have NO idea why I slacked off, but I am kicking myself for lost savings and earnings!!  So far so good this year on getting back to using them.

2.  I've been waiting for the grocery store to get in these net10 phones that they had on sale for $20.  Well, they got them in finally, but then they were on sale for $10!! I ended up buying 2.  Now I can run more apps....not necessarily more, but it frees me up to be able to spend more time in the apps since I moved most of my Swagbucks apps over to the new phones.  I've already earned back the $20 that I spent on the phones.

3,  A good deal at Dollar Tree!  Dollar Tree got in the Snackeez cups.  You've seen these on TV and you can find them in the As Seen on TV section at Wal-mart for $9.88.  I couldn't help but buy a whole case of 12 of them at just $1 each!!!  These will make a great addition to my gift stash for both birthdays and Christmas this year. (They got in both the smaller ones and the larger ones---I bought one of the 2 cases that they got in of the large ones)

4.  I decided that on nights when hubby is in bed and I can't turn on the light to read before going to sleep, that I would get back to reading the books in my Kindle app.  I started with one that I actually had just ordered a sample of.  I re-read the sample and looked through the index and decided to go ahead and spend the $2,99 to buy it.  It's a nice saving book called Six Dollar Family.
I'm already anxious to possibly get back to making my own laundry soap using the recipe she shares, as well as trying to make the dryer sheets too.
It's a lot of common sense book and I am enjoying it, so I will share the link to amazon here with you.

All Business Monday---Reading

(Image courtesy of pixabay--License: CC0 Public Domain )


Reading and business---how do these go together for me?

I often get books in to read and review.  I used to get right to reading them to get the reviews done.   2014 I really slacked off on reading.  In fact, I can turn around right now and see 5 books on my shelf that came in for review months ago, that I've not even looked at yet.   Shame on me!!  That is not being responsible to the authors, publishers, or PR firms that send them to me to review.   A couple of them are ones that all I have to do is look through them and talk about them for the review.

Even though I am not compensated in any other way from the source that sends the book, when I post about it, I have the ability to add in affiliate links.  Those are another part of the business side of it to give me a chance to earn more.  In other words, it's fully to my benefit to keep up on my reading and book reviews. 

I'm on a good start for 2015 so far.  I finished and reviewed Go For It!  yesterday.   My Super Sunday Reviews posts will consist of the books I am behind on until I get caught up  :)

You might also keep in mind that each Sunday those posts include a linky for you to link up any reviews you have written the past week---and there isn't a limit on how many you can link up.
And don't forget to link up any business related posts you have written each week in this linky.

Here are some nice bookshelf choices:

An InLinkz Link-up

WIP Wednesday 3/16/11

Welcome to WIP Wednesday in conjunction with Every Day Crochet. Please click the button at the end of my post to join in.

I think my entire life is a WIP!! I was going to come in and say that I have no WIP's other than the placemats I am making for out table. (On those, I now have completed 4, which you will see in the photo of the table. I have 2 more to complete for the set of 6.)
I can't say that's my only WIP. I have that quilt that I need to get back to and finish. I'm still in the process of unpacking. I'm down to the craft room, but working slowly at it after busting my you know what unpacking the rest of the house. I would love if you would hop over to my album on gather to check out the progress of settling in to the house. Our New Home
I'm also always in the process of reading books to review. Currently I am reading an autobiography of the comedian Pat Cooper. It's a good read, very interesting. I am so behind of getting my book reviews written....and I have a virtual book tour that needs to be done as well!

Anyway...we are going to head to his sister's house so the garden can start being a work in progress. I need to pull out my rhubarb, onions, and some of the strawberries from the garden there. Hopefully then this next week we can get at least a couple of tomato and bell pepper plants to put in. I'm not planning a very large garden this first year. Soon I also need to get over to my daughter's bf's house and dig up my irises.

Until next week!
Marsha

WIP Wednesday 2/16/11

Welcome to WIP, hosted by Every Day Crochet.  Click the button at the bottom of my post to play along and see what others are up to.

I still have quite a list of what I wanted to get done in crafts before the monster garage sale March 19.  I'm afraid that packing and moving is going to have to put a halt to that!!  Basically, the house can close any day now, which is great and I would love to see it closed and us able to start moving some things over there even if we don't start staying there right away.

I'm still sitting here crocheting dish scrubbies.  I have a lot of white netting.  I think past today and what I can make around my other activities is what is going to end up being in the jar for the sale.
Here is what I have so far:

I ripped out lines on the strip quilt I am working on and this photo was of me in the process of re-sewing.  It looks a lot better.  I am in hopes today yet to get the middle of the quilt sewn on.  I've not decided exactly on the back as I only have 2 sheets to choose from and both are flowery.  I'm also thinking of making the binding.  In other words, once the middle is sewn on, it's being boxed up and won't be worked on again until we are settled in the new house.

I have the back and edging pinned on the table runner.  It's just a matter now of sewing around it.  That won't take long, but I'm kind of anal, and working on the strip quilt until I run out of the thread that is already on and in my machine.

Other WIP's include 2 books I am reading for review......and the mess of organizing and packing for the move.

WIP Wednesday 1/12/11

Good Morning!  Welcome to WIP Wednesday  in conjunction with Every Day Crochet.  Please click the button at the bottom of my post to join in the fun, or to see what others have been working on.

I spent a couple of days just working on dish scrubbies, so my jar is getting fuller:

I finished sewing together the top of the quilt I've been working on.  My next step is to find the time to set up the tables upstairs and get it laid out and pinned.  Finding that time is hard for me since that does take awhile.  It won't be today like it could have been because I'm heading to the dentist soon to have these 4 teeth pulled.

Sewing club ended up being cancelled yesterday due to the weather, so I cut out the squares and got them cut down ready to be sewn.  This won't happen until club meets again as one of the gals wants to show me a different way to put them together.

I'm anxious to start on my own next strip quilt.  I was sick in bed over the weekend, but I had my daughter bring in my ironing board and material and I started ironing what I have to make the quilt.  I still have about as much to get done, as what I got ironed and cut that you see below.  I'm pretty well planning on staying in bed after the dentist so plan on trying to iron the rest of the material this afternoon.  I don't want to start the actual squares until all of the material is cut.  I like to try to alternate evenly putting on the strips by all the material that I have.

I'm still reading If God Is Good.  I plan on the book review for it on Saturday.  I will need to be reading all I can in it between now and then.

Until next week....hop on over and check out what others are up to.  We would love to have you join us each week as well with your own WIP's.

WIP Wednesday 1/5/11

Welcome to WIP Wednesday in conjunction with Every Day Crochet.  Please click the button at the end of my post to join in on the fun, or just to see what others are working on this week.

I have been making a few dish scrubbies, but decided to fill the jar some more before putting in another photo of those.  I'm getting a purple set into my etsy store when I am done with this post.

I've been working on my current quilt.  When I took the photo I still had 3 more rows of squares to sew together before starting to put all the rows together.  This morning I have sewn those 3 rows.  Hopefully by next week I will have the top sewn and have it pinned to the back and middle.

I've also been working on a new toothbrush rug this week.  I'm liking the colors so far.

Another WIP is a new blog challenge I am doing.  52 Books in 52 Weeks.  You can click the link at the top of this page to learn more about it.  You are free to join in the challenge any time.

And, my good friend Ruthi has started a Saturday Blog Hop called Shop Hop.  I know most of you that read my WIP posts each week have online stores.  I would love to see you join in on sharing your shops with this blog hop.  You can see my orginal post here:

Shop Hop Saturday!!

 

WIP Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!  It's time to share WIP's (works in progress) in conjunction with Every Day Crochet.  Please click the button at the bottom to join in on the fun.

Your WIP doesn't have to be crafts, it can be anything!

I didn't get much more done on the rug, but it is almost done.  I got nothing more done on the hot pads I am making for Christmas.  And, I didn't get material cut for my next quilt like I wanted to either.  I have orders I've been working on, including one that is a barter.  I made 2 crocheted headbands and a crocheted ear warmer in trade for tart melts. (not pictured)

 See the mess of netting on my desk?  I've been in the midst of making 10 dishscrubbies for a friend's order, 3 for another order, and have 6 yet to make for another order.  I'm also trying to get as many made in advance as I can to have a bunch for sale at the monster garage sale.

 This is as far as I've gotten on one order, and that was buying the material and netting for this order of scrubbies and fabric bags.  I will get the bags all pinned today and ready to sew.

 My daughter got a job with hours that makes me have to get the kids to school each morning.  This is going to take me some getting used to.  For one thing it means crawling out of bed almost 2 hours earlier than I have been!  It also means time away from home as well.  Wish me luck with it.

I am still in the process of finishing up that book to review.  Almost done reading it.  I also have an ebook to read that will be given away on my blog soon. 

Busy Busy Busy....seems there is no other way for me.

Resolutions Journal Week 17--May 22-29

Week 17 Accomplishments:  May 22-May 29

Updated my homeschoolbuy auctions.

Read in my current book, Evan's Castle.

Started reading a second book, Organizing from the Inside Out.

Worked on more cross magnets for the church sale.

Completed the baby quilt I've been working on. (see photo below and let me know what you think.  I am not good at pricing, so help there will also be appreciated.)

Cut squares for my next quilt.

Updated Helen Steiner Rice and Our Garden 2010 squidoo lenses.

I've been listing one thing a day over at listia too.

 Until next week,

 

Resolutions Journal Week 16--May 15-21

Week 16 Accomplishments:  May 15-May 21

Updated my homeschoolbuy auctions.

Sewed quilt squares and completed the top for the baby quilt I am making.

Sewed more of the fabric totes and have finished the order for 12.

Updated Our Unschooling Journal and Guns N Roses,  squidoo lenses.

Wrote my book review of Hollywood Station.

Read in my current book, Evan's Castle.

I got another quilt listed for sale in my blujay store.

Started making cross magnets that I am donating to the craft table at our church yard sale.

I have given up on the use exercise equipment regularly as one of my goals.  I'm sure you've noticed it's not been in my accomplishments for weeks now!

I didn't do well with my squidoo lenses this week.  I don't really have a reason for this since I have been in squidoo quite a lot this past week looking at others lenses.

Until next week,

Resolutions Journal Week 14--May 1--7

Week 14 Accomplishments:  May 1-May 7

Updated my homeschoolbuy auctions.

Sewed quilt squares.

Sewed more of the fabric totes.

Updated The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker, Miserly Moms, Bicycle Hostel, Our Garden 2010, and My Book Reviews squidoo lenses

Read in my current book, Hollywood Station


I was so busy this week with things away from home that I just don't feel like I accomplished much at all, yet I know that I did.  Next week isn't looking any different on the being away from home thing.
I slacked on my squidoo lenses, which I can't afford to do, need to keep them updated and fresh.


Until Next Week,

Resolutions Journal Week 12--April 17--April 23

Week 12 Accomplishments: April 17-April 23

Updated Gather, Meatball Subs, Dillon's Nature Center, Anime Fun (please check this one out, I added a video that Jasmine put together herself on youtube), My Personal Top 10 Movies, Helen Steiner Rice, Unique Gifts-Novelty Signs, Points Points squidoo lenses.

Built Frugal Family Friendly Recipes on squidoo.

Read in my current book Hollywood Station

Started another quilt.

Made some tote type bags. I want to give these as gifts to my grandchildren with goodies inside that will keep the busy and hopefully quieter at church. I also have an order for some of them too.

I got a good deal on 2 Stouffer's Family Size Entrees at the store yesterday. They are on sale at Dillon's (Kroger) this week for $3.99 each. I printed out 2-$2.50/1 coupons so got them for just $1.50 each! Plus, I will have the codes from inside for the dinner program. I am working towards saving points for free products.

Speaking of coupons, if you missed my post yesterday, here are a couple of good printable coupons:

****coupon good for $1 off any one (1) Banquet Family Size Entree HERE and
****coupon good for $1 off any one (1) Marie Callender's Asian Recipes or Pasta Al Dente HERE

I got in my first free item from Listia free auctions!! It's 3 packages of bias tape to use in my quilting. I have also won 5 other auctions so far for smaller toys that will be added in to totes I am giving my grandchildren for their birthdays.



Have a great weekend!!

Resolutions Journal Week 10--April 3--April 9

Week 10 Accomplishments:  April 3-April 9

Read in my current book--Sins of the Flesh--and finished it.  I wrote my review on gather. 
Sins of The Flesh by Caridad Pineiro Book Review.

Crocheted other washcloth and dish scrubbie for my giveaway.

Updated my Our Garden 2010 squidoo lens with quite a bit more.  I also updated my Jasmine's Lapbooks, Under The Rainbow Gifts, Helen Steiner Rice, Kansas Cosmosphere and The Vision Board, Gather, and Tiger Eyes squidoo lenses.

I built My Book Reviews and When Ghosts Speak squidoo lenses.

I started to crochet a washcloth, but got an order for 2 purple dish scrubbies so crocheted those and got them out in the mail.

As you see, I've been doing well getting posts into my blog.  I'm back in business!

You can also see that I really got going on my squidoo lenses.  Can I keep it up?  I sure plan to.  I need to get some better money made there.  All visits to help my lensrank are truly appreciated!

Until next Friday night, have an awesome week!
Marsha

Resolutions Journal Week 9--March 27--April 2

Oh my....I don't feel like I accomplished much this week towards my goals.

I did have opportunity to read my current book, Sins of the Flesh, on 3 days.  I'm pretty close to finishing up the book now.

The only thing I did craft related was crochet 2 dish scrubbies and 2 washcloths.  These are part of my blog giveaway, where there will be 2 winners.  If you missed the post, you can find it at Win a Washcloth/Dish Scrubbie Gift Set!

I have been keeping up with posting to my blog each day.  A lot of this is thanks to the current campaign with bzzagent for the movie BABIES.  If you've not checked those posts out, please do.  For each click I get on what I post I earn 1 point towards winning some great baby prizes.  Winning would be nice since I have young grandchildren.  :)

I did build a squidoo lens that I am excited about.  Our Garden 2010  
I will be updating this lens as it grows, as we harvest, and will be keeping track of costs as well as the worth of the harvest as well.
(this is what we spent most of Wednesday doing, and Wednesday evening I built the lens with photos)

I also updated my Legos lens.

I've been doing my daily posts on gather as well as keeping up with my groups there.  Today I did 2 pretty nice shopping trips.

It's been a busy week as usual away from home...I'm not sure that will ever stop!

I'm in the middle of making up Easter bags for my kids and grandkids right now. I was able to buy the goodies at good deals at Walgreen's using the register rewards that I earned Sunday.  I had the cello bags in my stash from being a Cello In a Box Affiliate.  We will have an egg hunt here on Sunday as well as a bbq since the weather is to be good.  (and we have the foods already for a bbq without having to spend any more money.)

Here's wishing everyone a very Blessed Easter!

New Challenge on Gather

Gather has a new challenge that's started.
We are to share our Resolutions and post a Resolutions Journal weekly for 5 weeks on how we are doing with them.

I'm excited. I'm one of those who loves incentive. Since reading about the challenge I have worked harder on my resolutions. I am keeping track of what I am accomplishing in notepad.

Below are my resolutions....make note that one of them is to get back into my blogging here!

My resolutions for this year include:

1. Using the exercise equipment we have on a regular basis.

2. Reading whenever I get a chance so that I can do more book reviews and in turn turn those book reviews into squidoo lenses.

3. Getting back to my online business. As a whole I call it Gifts Galore and More, but includes everything that I do online to earn money.
I will be updating or building a new squidoo lens each day, working on getting crafts made and listed for sale, getting more books listed for sale, etc.

4. Getting my blog back going again.

Have a great day! I'm heading in to work on a quilt that I am making for church.