Debt Free At last

Yesterday I wrote the biggest check of my life and paid off our mortgage.

Goodbye bank account, hello owning my own life.  Now, here's the fun part where I realize how foot loose and fancy free I've been the last few months with our money.  I just checked our credit card account and had a moment of clarity.  I shop too much and I eat out too much.
I signed up for the July rewards deal, picked out a gift card from our cash back rewards for my MIL's bday next month and put the balance towards what we owe.

Dollar Tree, thrift stores, and McDonald's sodas and ice cream cones- I will miss you.  But, not that much.

Ok, so there's more.

I've been bored with Netflix and since we don't have cable when I want to be lazy I turn to youtube.

Sometimes it gets lonely around here and I like to have voices in the background when I'm clipping coupons, doing dishes, etc. 

I like to look at people's Dollar Tree coupon hauls.  Did you know they take MFR coupons now?  I like to see how people organize.   I like to watch decluttering and cleaning vlogs. 
My favorite vlog of the day is about how to make your own Lean Cuisines.  I used to save my plastic  trays and use them to fill up a lunch of frozen leftovers for Hubby.  I am starting a new collection of plastic containers and never realized that I could use them for make ahead meals rather than leftovers. 

I have been a shopping fool at Dollar Tree lately.  I love buying the organizing bins and the cleaning supplies there.  My best find yet has been the LiteLife Black Bean patties I bought yesterday.  $1 for a four pack.  That's a steal when they are normally $3-4 a package. 

I also bought a SkinnyGirl tinted moisturizer in Sand.  I tried it for the first time today and it seems pretty good.  I hate wearing foundation and this isn't heavy at all.  It was weird at first because the applicator is a brush but it works pretty good.  It normally retails at Walmart for $10. 

Hi

Just popping in for a bit to say I am still alive. 

I have battled depression the last few months when I haven't been incredibly busy.  My entire life suffers when I am sad.  Anyhoo, feeling a bit more myself but I definitely haven't felt like I could write anything about frugality.  I am not going to be an inspiration to those who want to live on less.
Maybe soon in the future.

I can say we are this/close to being debt free.  We finally sold our old house last month and have enough to pay off our current house.  And then we can begin college/retirement savings. 
Most of that is due to inheritance and generous in-laws.  I wish I could take credit for the most of it.


Off to conquer Mt. Washmore. 

Less Than Extreme

February almost went by without a blog post. 

This is what's on my mind:

I've been watching Extreme Couponing on Netflix.  I'm tempted to try my hand a minor version of this but I don't really want a huge stockpile.  I only want to get a few extra items of what we need and use.  When we moved I threw out too many boxes of expired food items that we never got around to eating.  I spent part of my day clipping and sorting coupons for a small trip tomorrow.  My closest grocery store only doubles up to 15 coupons (40 cents and under). 


I've been doing a little bit more of a Flylady routine.  Not that you could tell with the pile of birthday toys that my children brought home from their parties this year.  But, my sink is mostly clean. 

I want to cook at home more and am thinking about a refrigerator clean out challenge.  I don't know what's in the back of my fridge and I can't see what's in the back of my freezer.

My Tiny Baby Princess Has Turned Into A Goth Gal

The era of buying ahead when I see a good deal is pretty much over.  My almost ten year old girl -is not having it- anymore.  No more pastels.  No more puppy dog prints.  No more anything cutesy or girly. 

I filled a laundry basket with clothes that she doesn't like.  Yes, I could make her wear them anyway.  She would do it so she wouldn't hurt my feelings.  She is a nice kid like that.  But, I do think she should have a lot of say over what she wears as long as it's appropriate and covers her parts.  She's allowed to express her individuality.  I know what it's like to have to wear clothes you don't like.  It's no fun.

So, I turned to Thred Up to help me find plain black and red clothes for her.  I've always had good luck with my purchases from there.  Today I bought eight kid's items for about $40 including shipping and I ordered a bag to fill with our outcasts. 

There are some pretty good coupon codes for first time users.  If you go through this link we can both get $10 on our next purchases too. 
http://www.thredup.com/r/BTGXTF

Just Checking In- Just Rambling On

Seems as though I'm a once a month blogger now.

We haven't finished cleaning up our old house to sell yet.  It's so close.  I have to tell you that I'm so glad it's the last time I have to clean that house.  Every room upstairs and down has white doors and white railing- so much area to dust and for little fingers to smudge.  It's a pretty nightmare.
Anyway,  my Mom left me enough money that we are financially able to pay off that mortgage this month!  Yay!  And once it's sold that money will hopefully get us enough to pay off our new house.  I just need to push myself to get it done and listed.   Because we've never been this close to being debt free. 

Today I am at home with my sick boy.  I have started searching job ads and thinking about returning to school to get more marketable skills.   I would like to have a part time job to get me out of the house and to make a little money for our retirement/savings.  Honestly, I loved being at home with the kids and I miss having them with me every day.  But, now that they are in school all day it seems like I should be doing more with myself.   Also, I'm not sure how well it will work out since I'm the parent on call for sick days, errands, and the weekends/night when my husband has to work.  His new job is satisfying for him on many levels but the hours he's working significantly cut into family time.  It's a good thing I am home.  I don't know.  I honestly don't. 

Tonight I am in charge of my daughter's Girl Scout meeting.  We're working on a service project by writing letters to soldiers and children in the hospital.   My daughter's new girl scout troop experience is pretty dissatisfying.  They don't get sashes or vests and no one bothers with badges.  This is only our second service project of the year and we've had no field trips.   I really don't want to be in charge of the troop either so I don't feel like I can really complain.  None of the other moms are upset by this lack of organization either.   Anyone have any ideas for me here?  This is our third year with GS and I've always been a peripheral part of it.  My daughter said she's not that interested in doing it again next year because the troop doesn't do much but I think it is such a positive thing and it has helped her meet new girls at her new school.  

Better go check on my sick munchkin.  He's actually in the mood to snuggle today so I am missing out.  So little time left when they'll actually cuddle with me.  Time flies when you don't know you're having fun.  

Still Here. Still Blessed.

I'm still here.  Just been busy as I'm sure all of you have been too. 

I have been a stressed out mess worrying about making this the best Christmas ever for everyone and also feeling so sad that my Mom wouldn't be here. 

Well, Christmas came and it was wonderful.  My brothers came to our house.  We had great food.  I think everyone loved what I bought for them and it wasn't sad at all.  I felt pretty content all day.

My favorite gifts were second hand.  My brothers brought me a bookshelf that I'd been wanting from my Mom's house.  My husband and kids bought me a silver heart locket and a Barbara Michaels book from Goodwill.

I also got an entire bag full of tea and a Walgreens card so I'm all set if anyone gets a head cold.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.   I'll try to get back on here soon.  Things aren't quite so bleak in my little corner of the world and I have a lot of projects and decorating I'd like to do in the new house.   I know I haven't posted any pictures of it yet.  Soon.