Hidden Magnolias

I just thought I would check in and let you know how some of my "projects" are going. First - the Buy No New Clothes I have really been pleased with this one. It is now May and I haven't spent money on clothes at all this year and that is really good for me. I am usually buying something at least once a month. However, when I examined my Spring/Summer clothes, I noticed 2 pairs of  dress pants for work that really cannot go another year; thus I will be replacing them. Also, for full disclosure, my hubby gave me a little money to spend as I want. He often does that and I faithfully squirrel it away but this weekend I visited my favorite boutique and bought a few blouses -- again for work. Even though I didn't hit the mark 100%, I feel good about the progress made. Second - Spend No $$$ Weeks This one I have done surprisingly well. I have had several weeks since the new year where I spent no money at all --None, Zero, Natch, Nada -- with the exceptio...

I have been reading lots of frugal blogs lately and have found some really good ideas about where to cut the budget. Being frugal in this day and age is really hard, especially if you are a working woman and you need work clothes. One of the themes I have seen in all the frugal websites is: “ MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. ” If you are like me, your closet probably burps when you open the door. So, I pulled everything out – and I mean everything . I sorted through. Made the three piles: Keep, Repair/Clean, Give.  And then put it all back. After all this, I made list using Notes on my iPhone. I listed various combinations, and even found some combinations I hadn't thought of before. Then as I wore them, checked them off. I used various icons to make it more fun. The list helped me realize that there are clothes I hardly ever wear. There are combinations that I wore often and some I only wore once or twice. This was a surprise!!...

"You sure are frugal" These were the words a recent visitor to my house said after using my bathroom. "What makes you say that?" I asked. "All those soap slivers in your soap dish." Hummm, she was right. I do have soap slivers in my soap dish. Silvers that are too small for using in shower or bath but a perfect for hand washing. While getting dressed this morning, I glanced at the soap dish and though, yes, I am frugal. I am frugal. But not a fanatic about it. I have just learned over the years that saving pennies -- saves dollars. I begin to notice other little things that prove this. For one thing, I use a lipstick brush to get all the lipstick out of the tube -- especially if it is a favorite, discounted color. I just don't throw it out when it is flat. There are many more applications left in that tube, you just gotta work for it. I do take my own coffee to work avoiding the daily stop at Starbucks. Since their regular size, ...