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How to Get What You Need Without Spending Too Much

April 15, 2013 by 8 Comments
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What do you do when you really need something that you don't have? Please tell me your answer to that question isn't "go to the store and buy it".  Sometimes rushing out to buy a brand new item  that we need or think we need can cost us money we wouldn't have to spend.  I've got several alternatives to suggest to you today and some examples of ways we have saved money over the years. 1.  Borrow the item from someone else. If you need something for a one time use, then you may be able to borrow the item from someone else.  For instance, because Grandpa cuts most of the wood we use … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Family, Frugality, Giving, My Grandma Knows, Shopping Tagged With: , ,

Grandpa’s March Project

March 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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March has been a busy month for Grandpa.  He's in full wood-gathering mode, storing up wood for burning in our wood stove next winter.  Since his old blue truck is out of commission this spring, he's had to limit himself to wood that is more easily accessible.  Things worked out splendidly in this regard when our brother-in-law helped us out by cutting down three trees in our yard last week. I regret that I did not take pictures during that work day.  It was fun day, much like what I would imagine an old fashioned butchering day or barn raising to play out.  My sister and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Family, Frugality, Fun, My Grandma Knows, Simplicity Tagged With: , ,

A Little Trick for Too Tight Pants

March 11, 2013 by 14 Comments
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I'm a little embarrassed about posting this hint on my blog.  For one thing, I don't really like admitting to people that sometimes my pants are too tight.  For another thing, this hint is so well-known that it's unlikely that many will find it useful. But on the outside chance that someone somewhere might breathe easier because of this hint, I'm going to go ahead and share it.  Recently, I shared this hint with someone in person, and she was impressed and appreciative.  So here goes! If you've never wished for a little extra room around the waist of your pants, then I hate you you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Frugality, My Grandma Knows Tagged With: , , ,

Why I Didn’t Buy a Smart Phone

March 4, 2013 by 12 Comments
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I need a smart phone.  Seriously, I do.  And I can prove it. Last month, I committed to attending two meetings on the same night.  You know why I did that?  Because I don't have a smart phone.  It's true.  In November, when the committee was meeting in the pastor's study, all of the other participants entered the next meeting date into their smart phone calendar apps. I, on the other hand, made a mental note to remind myself to write down the meeting date in my new 2013 planner just as soon as I bought one.  Somehow I lost that mental note.  And I missed the meeting. Just a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finances, Frugality, My Grandma Knows, Product Reviews, Shopping Tagged With: , ,

Pantry Challenge Wrap Up

February 27, 2013 by 2 Comments
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WE DID IT!!!  We took the pantry challenge here at Grandma's house, and we met our goal.  During the month of February, we spent half of our usual grocery budget.  The funny thing is that I didn't seem to make a huge dent in our surplus. Check out these before and after shots of our pantry: I've done pantry challenges before, but because of reporting back to all of you, I was extra-motivated this time to make it a success.  Yesterday morning, I spent the last $8 of my allotted $200 grocery budget for February. Pantry Challenge Lessons Learned: 1. Grocery shopping is more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finances, Food, Frugality, My Grandma Knows Tagged With: , ,
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