Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Staying Busy

Yet another week that has been one activity or thing to do right after another!  Today is definitely no exception as it's my mother's payday, my grandson, Jacob's, 9th birthday, and I have to go get the rummage sale set up at church.

Has it been a frugal week for me?  Not really. 

I made another trip to Dodge City to stay a couple of days with my hubby.  Of course that is eating out except the free breakfast from the motel.  I did get smart though and brought a bagel, cream cheese, margarine, a muffin, and yogurt up to the room from the breakfast room.  Those made great snacks throughout the day.  We lost $98 this week at the casino. 

Nope nope nope, going to the casino is not a frugal thing to do.  I am well aware of that, and as I told hubby, I am glad that we don't have one real close to home.   It is a treat to be able to go, and I'm proud of us for not staying until all of the allotted amount for the trip was gone. 

This week, for some reason, they chose to give my hubby the honeymoon suite (they actually call it the executive suite) at the motel. (Best Western Plus)   That was such a delight having a hot tub right there in our room!!  Every time we get in one we both say the same thing-- "we really need one of these at home". 


Back to the rummage sale at church.  I have been trying to find boxes of rummage sale stuff in our garage to take to it.  That's been a challenge, and I've not been able to find much, because our garage is so jam packed full of stuff.  The stuff will NOT come back to our house.   Here's hoping too, that more people from church will bring in things for the sale.  I will know when I go this evening to put things out.


Before I forget, here is today's Friday Freebie from Kroger:

Free CORE Hydration Drink for Kroger & Affiliates


I've not had much of a chance this week to send off for freebies, but here is a list of the ones that I want to check out when I do find the time:

Free Sample of Bvlgari Omnia Pink Sapphire Fragrance

Free Samples of Astroglide Lubricant

Free Subscription to Woman's Day Magazine

Free American Farmland Trust 35th Anniversary Lapel Pin

Free Sample of ProSoap Water-Activated Hand Cleaner

Free Subscription to LEGO Life Magazine

Free Sample of L’Oreal Pure-Sugar Grapeseed Scrub

Lots of goodies to check on!


Hoping that this next week isn't near as wild with me being away from home and that I have more to report.

In the meantime, if you have posted anything that has to do with being frugal, simple living, saving money etc, please do link up.

WIP Wednesday -- Is There Progress?

I missed posting last week.  I didn't mean to miss, just totally forgot.  I was in Dodge City with my hubby.....which is where I am heading again for a couple of days......pretty much right after I get this written.

The week before I mostly worked on getting tissue box covers and pin cushion/scrap bags made.  I needed to complete them to turn in at guild for the boutique booth in June.

I made a total of 4 of the pin cushion scrap bags, but forgot to take a picture except of this one that I made for myself.

Here are the 3 tissue covers that I made to turn in.   I do plan on these being what I make this year for the adults on my Christmas list.

I went to "get r' done" at the quilt shop and now my Charming Stars quilt is ready to have the binding sewn on.

I got the flannel out that I had bought on the bus trip and got a little more done on the 2 rag quilts that I am making.  Once again they are at a stand still until I run across more flannel.

That's it for me.  I link up with the following blogs, so check them out as well. Lots of things being made and inspiration to be had.



Jo's Country Junction:  http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

KatieMae Quilts for BOM weekly linky.  https://www.katiemaequilts.com/blog/

Mailbox Monday -- May 28, 2018

Let me first day to everyone --


glitter-graphics.com

It's been a nice weekend visiting the graves of loved ones, and today going to my middle daughter's little town for their Memorial Day remembrance celebration. 


It wasn't too bad of a week for freebies, especially since I am just getting started  sending for them again.

I rec'd:
2 Time magazines
People magazine
Entertainment Weekly magazine
Samples of VCF birth control including $5 coupons
3 growth charts from the CDC
Ear Plugs from Macks.

Today I only sent for one thing:

Free Golden Road Brewing Keychain


You may want to check out this post!

2018 Memorial Day Freebies & Deals RoundUp


Until next week, Happy Freebie Hunting!

You might want to check out an earning site which is owned by a teamie friend of mine.  He's done a great job putting it together and you can earn cash and gift cards with your points. 

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Short Trip

I took a short trip this week to Dodge City, KS where my hubby is working for the week.
Ok, frugal in some ways, not in others...
Frugal because hubby's company pays for his motel room, plus food reimbursement.
Not frugal in that we, um, lost $135 at the casino.   It was such a blast to be able to make the trip though and my spirits are lifted once again.....that alone is priceless. 😀
Of course I took my laptop and a tablet with me to keep "earning" at least a bit while having a good time.
We ate one night at IHOP, which he did have to pay for my meal.  The next day we had the wonderful free breakfast at the motel, then ordered pizza delivered for lunch.
We hopped in the hot tub twice.  We watched some movies together.  In general we just had a great time.
I even managed to make it through all 12 questions in The Cash Show, (invitation code is M3CFWG which will give each of us a free life!) adding up to reaching payout there!!
I'm going back next week as he will still be working there again.  I'm really looking forward to it.

I've already picked up my Friday Freebie this week as I did a little shopping this morning.   I got a little coming back into ibotta, and I scanned enough to redeem for a $2 amazon from shopkick as well.   Great way to start the morning.

Free VitaminWater Active for Kroger & Affiliates


I'm still working to fill my mailbox with freebies.  Here are a few things that I sent off for today:

Free Pack of Zonnic Stop-Smoking Aid

Free Yellow Dog Nantucket Stickers

Free Sun-Maid Healthy Living Booklet

Free Harry Potter Time Turner Necklace  (if you check this one out, please come back to my post and use this link for me to get credit)


I've not listed sweepstakes for awhile, so here is a list for you to choose from to enter.  Good luck!

Win a GUESS L.A. Style Experience for You and 3 Friends

Boston Market Memorial Day Meal Coupon

Culturelle $3 Off Coupon + Win a Global Awareness Trip

Win 1 of 750 KFC Colonel Sanders Floaties

Win a a Set of 50 Books and $1000 Melissa & Doug Gift Card

Win 1 of 10 Free Bless Box Beauty Subscriptions worth $1800

Win $10,000 in the Ryan Seacrest’s Pay Your Vacation Sweepstakes


In other news for me, I'm still working, albeit very slowly, at eliminating clutter.  It's hard to go stay in a nice clean motel room, with only a few necessities with you, then come home and look around at all the stuff.    I started yesterday in places you can't see though.  I cleared out the old stuff from the bathroom vanity and medicine cabinet.  Most everything in the drawers and cabinets has been there since we moved in and never used.  Out it went!  Today I am working on clearing off my decorative glass shelves.  Just how did they become the catch all for everything???

How are you doing in your frugal and simple living?    Comment below, or better yet, share links to your posts!







Click here

Mailbox Monday-- On Tuesday

Yesterday was a crazy day away from home, but a day late is better than never right?

Not too much in this last week, but I'm still sending for freebies on a regular basis.

People, Sports Illustrated and Entertainment Weekly magazines from hausernet.

Miracle Network wristband

Blue tooth tri-pod from Marlboro.   (Join their site and get email reminders so you know when to go in for coupons and also freebies.  They give freebies quite often as well as chances to win nice stuff!)


Here are some of the freebies I've recently sent off for:

Free Sample of Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch

Free The Original MakeUp Eraser

Free My Iowa Future T-Shirt & Sunglasses - Select States

Free Sample of Breathe Right Extra Clear Nasal Strips


If you like free magazines, you will want to be sure to check these out:

Free Subscription to Marie Claire Magazine

Complimentary Subscription to Real Simple Magazine

Free 2-Year Subscription to Midwest Living Magazine

Free Subscription to Harper's Bazaar Magazine


Have a great week!!

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Whirl Wind Week!

Wow this week has flown by!!   At the same time, it's been a long week.  Makes no sense, I know.
I had NO spendable money this week, which was my own fault for spending everything I had on the bus trip last week. 
I have made it through the week though.  With the help on my middle daughter, I was able to get just enough food for a few meals.  Foods to add to what was already in the house.  Also, my oldest daughter surprised me with a cinnamon roll, and a large snack tray this week as well.

As you know, I've started sending for freebies in the mail.  You may have noticed that I posted a Mailbox Monday this week.  I plan to have that as a weekly post again.  I will share freebie links on Monday's but I will still share them here in my Frugal Friday posts as well.

Let's start this week with the Kroger Friday Freebie for this week:

Free Larabar for Kroger & Affiliates

Here are the freebies that I sent off for today:

Free Sample of Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy

Free Together We Rise Stickers

Free Give a Sip Eco-Friendly Reusable Straw

Free Moose Tracks Nation Magnet or Sticker

Free The Original MakeUp Eraser

Free Sample of Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch


Click below to:

• Print coupon to save $3 on any one (1) Culturelle product.
• Enter the Be Good Inside with Culturelle Sweepstakes.

Are you finding the links I share helpful?  Are you sending off for any freebies to come to your mailbox?

WIP Wednesday --Bus Trip Report

As you know, I didn't post last Wednesday because I was on a bus trip with my quilt guild last Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday was our trip to Lincoln, NE and on the way we shop hopped at 3 different quilt shops-- No Place Like Home in Minneapolis, KS, Sew Country in Belleville, KS, and The Quilt Basket in York, NE.    That was loads of fun for me and I found lots of goodies that I needed.  Nope, I did not buy anything just because I liked it, and only bought things that I will use right away on current projects.
I shared a picture of those purchases in my Frugal Friday post last week if you are interested.

We stayed at Comfort Suites for the night.  Those are very nice rooms....made me wish I could just live there!   In the morning after our free breakfast, we loaded on to the bus and headed to the International Quilt Study Center and Museum there in Lincoln, NE.

I took tons of pictures at the museum.  It was hard to just choose a few to share in my post.

International Quilt Study Center and Museum -- Lincoln, NE

One of the flat storage units.

This is all buttons!  I took another close up picture of one square of it.  You know, thinking of yet another project just doing one square with all the buttons I've accumulated.

The Ken Burns Collection.  I actually hadn't heard of this man until going to the museum.  Where have I been??

Part of the Ken Burns collection.

Part of the Ken Burns collection.

On the bus on Tuesday, I worked on getting some hexagons made, after not working on them for well over a year.  I got a total of 15 done.

On the way home Wednesday, I just couldn't motivate myself to work on more hexagons, so I pulled out the plastic canvas that was already in my bag and worked on the blocks.  Some of these I made on the bus, and a few more after I got home.

I was very motivated once I got back home Wednesday evening to get to work!!  I got out my table, pressed all the fabrics I bought, and cut them for their perspective projects.  (I didn't take a picture of that).
One thing I bought was the back ground fabric to go with the Kitty Kitty charm pack I had purchased from the Missouri Star Quilt Co.   I actually got the whole top made with the exception of the sashing which I still need to buy.

Also I've worked more on the plarn bedroll.  As you can see by the picture with my 16 month old granddaughter, Amelia, sitting on it, there is a long way to go yet to reach the 6 foot long.

Last but not least for this week is my Arkansas Crossroads quilt top.  It was sit n' sew at the quilt shop Friday evening.  This is my sit n' sew project and it's seemingly to never end.  This is just me preparing the last of the blocks for sewing together, and I have quite a few yet to go!

I link up with the following blogs.  You will want to check them all out too!



Jo's Country Junction:  http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

KatieMae Quilts for BOM weekly linky.  https://www.katiemaequilts.com/blog/

Mailbox Monday -- May 14, 2018

I am working on sending for freebies again to fill my mailbox.  I do plan to make this a weekly post, wish links if possible.

I am just getting started, but did get 3 items in so far, plus some hausernet mail (even though I told them well over a year ago to take me off of their program).

Time for Kids classroom pack, People magazine, and Time magazine are all hausernet mail.

This Old House is a subscription that I redeemed some Recyclebank points to receive.

5 Quit Smoking notepads from the CDC.  Still available here.  Search for text 221831.

Ring sizer from Blue Nile.  Still available here.

Breathe Right strip samples.  Still available here




I have sent for these today:

Free Sample of Te Mana Tahiti Skincare

Free Sample of Harvey Dryman Manbutter

Free Grow Up Healthy! Growth Chart

Free Sample of Hope Fragrance


Pinch Me has new samples tomorrow.  I've yet to get in on a Pinch Me box, but if you haven't signed up yet, just click the banner below!



You also might want to check out Daily Goodie Box as well!!

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Bus Trip and Freebies

Welcome to Friday!

This week I was gone 2 days on a bus trip to Lincoln, NE with my quilt guild.  What fun! 
The trip itself cost $135, which included the bus, tour price at the Quilt study museum, and our motel room.
I took $40, which was to cover my shopping at 3 quilt shops on the way and pay for 2 meals.  (Go ahead, laugh now)  Yes, I was dreaming that $40 would be enough.  Ok, it would have been plenty if I stuck to my small list of 4 things that I was looking for that I needed.  But, how do you pass up good deals on other things that you can use or need??

I ended up spending a total of $35.32 total at the 3 quilt shops and 1 variety store.
I will talk about what I bought after the picture.

My original list included a Frixion pen because mine quit working, Insul-brite for hotpads (which I didn't find), a black, white and yellow fat quarter for my Sodoku quilt, and a yard of back ground fabric for a Zip quilt I just started( I found the back ground fabric on clearance for 50% off!!).

In addition I found a yard of kitchen print 40% off that will make 4 of the double towel scarves, flannel pieces that will help me get further on my rag quilts, netting for crocheting dish scrubbies, a fat quarter to match another towel I had for a double towel scarf, some cute Maxine iron ons, and a gingerbread cookie cutter candle that I will use for a gift (it was just 50 cents!)

The first shop gave us a free lip balm, the second shop had bottled water and cookies for us, and the 3rd shop gave us a nice 6 inch ruler. 

I am thrilled with what I was able to purchase and the prices that I got too!


Speaking of freebies......I wrote last week that I was going to start sending for freebies in the mail again.  I got my first freebie in the mail today--Breathe Right strips.    I will share another list of freebies for you to check out today, but first, let's lookat at the Kroger Friday Freebie.

Today's it's chocolate, so be sure to add it to your card!!

Free Lindt Lindor Stick for Kroger & Affiliates


And here are some freebies to check out for this week:

Free Grow Up Healthy! Growth Chart

Free Sample of FloraTummys Probiotic for Kids or Adults

Free Black & Mild Cigar Tube

Free Poise Light Leaks Sample Pack

Free Subscription to Food Network Magazine

Free Subscription to Road & Track Magazine

Free Learn the Signs Act Early Growth Chart

Free Sample of Te Mana Tahiti Skincare

Free Sample of Harvey Dryman Manbutter




Don't forget to link up too!

Get 300 bonus SB when you sign up for Swagbucks in May

All throughout May you can earn large bonuses when sign up as my referral on Swagbucks. Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, or PayPal cash. 

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a 300 SB bonus! Here's how: 

1. Sign up using this link 

2. Earn 300 SB total before June 1st, 2018. You'll get a 300 SB bonus for it! 

3. That's it. It's super easy, and Swagbucks is for real. I use it myself, and I've earned $3,458.  I have cashed out mostly for PayPal which helps with every day needs, and Amazon, which also helps with the same, plus other goodies.   I have also cashed in for eBay bucks, Walmart gift cards, and Burger King gift cards.

Seriously, if you haven't given Swagbucks a try, I highly recommend that you do!!