It pays to just ask.

Everyone today has to acknowledge that working within a budget is no longer an option, it has becomes a necessity. Anyway you can save in one area allows you to have more resources to save, invest or use somewhere else. Like the title of this post states sometimes just asking can save alot of time, money and open opportunities you may miss when you don't ask. Some examples are:
My cell phone was upgraded within 30 days of purchasing it. I had the option of $100 refund or a free upgrade. Customers who don't ask don't automatically get these benefits. I was only told because I asked.

The eye doctor gives a 30% discount on frames when asked.

A bank reviewed the terms on my business line of credit. Reducing the rate. This is because I asked and I make payments on time. It is important to be careful to make your payments on time.

Also this week I had my business long distance rates reviewed by a different provider. This results in an average of $200 per month savings.

Sometimes we don't ask or consider our options because we are embarressed to ask, we are to busy or we just don't think about it. We should take the time because the best person to watch your budget, investments and financial well being is you.

Berroco® Free Pattern | Alexi Throw

I am thinking of making this project. I think I am crazy.


Berroco® Free Pattern | Alexi Throw

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Bags,Bags, Bags

Bags, Bags, Bags

Yesterday I made a beaded bracelet as a gift. I wanted to put the bracelet in a special package to give it to her. Sometimes the delivery of the gift is as important as the gift itself. I had received a small white mesh bag with a white ribbon drawstring and clear beads dangling from the bottom of it at a wedding. It was a favor that had candy in it. I saved it because I knew I could use it someday and it came in handy for the bracelet I made. The point is to keep things like that, such as gift bags, boxes and wrapping paper for re-use. Purchasing the wrapping for a present gets expensive. I would rather make a card and re-use gift bags so I can put that money towards the gift. You can easily drop $10.00 on a card and wrapping. Get creative, the gift looks wonderful and you make the recipient very happy.

When I purchase jewelry making supplies like beads and findings, many times they come in nice closable bags. These bags are usually nice and thick and can be re-used many times. Doing so saves money and the planet. These bags won’t end up in the landfill.

Used sandwich bags can be used for pet treats and food scraps when you are preparing a meal. This is also a good recycling habit. These small things can save our environment as well as some money.

Here is a picture of the bracelet.

Lets not forget what we have learned.

In today’s news I noticed some positive financial news. Although this is very refreshing and helps us to be hopeful for better economic times it is important we stay focused on spending within our budgets and cutting costs and environmental burdens at the same time. It will be interesting to watch what people do when the economy recovers (which we all know it will eventually recover). Well when it does it is so important to remember what we have learned and continue to practice smart financial decisions. Doing this in any economical environment will insure security in the future.

Security from knowledge, savings and good family foundations will be great assets in everyone’s future. There are many benefits from working within a budget. We set limits that allow us to be less stressful, spend more time with family and learn patience. Saving money usually requires delayed gratification instead of instant gratification.

Lets continue to save money and the environment regardless of what the economy is doing.

Memorial Day Weekend camping at a state park

Our family just got home from a wonderful economical Memorial Day weekend trip. We went family camping at a very nice state campground. We enjoyed our weekend at Hickory Run State Campground in PA. The many wonderful activities at this campground but it features boulder field. This field of boulders was formed 20,000 years ago during a deep freeze. About 20,000 years ago, the ice was 1 mile thick. It spanned from Canada to 1 mile north of Boulder field. The climate was very cold and winter lasted 6 months. With the freezing and unfreezing of the ground the boulders were formed. The boulders are 1 mile deep and under them runs a river. The boulder field keeps getting smaller at a very slow pace. As the leaves fall and the trees plant themselves the land is expanding into the boulders.



It was a great trip. They have a campground with running water, flush toilets and real nice shower facilities that provide a lot of privacy. I hate campgrounds that you dress and undress in a common dressing room. I am just to private of a person to like that, I like to dress in privacy. When I got home I was ready to give myself my own manicure and facial. Rather than spend the money for a professional one and I didn’t even want to leave the house to get one done I decided to use some fancy facial cleanser and clay cleaner, then some facial lotion. I also did my nails. I put on my lotion and worked on my cuticles and painted my nails.

Camping in a state campground is fun and stress reduction for the whole family. It is great bonding with friends and family. After spending this time with others, come home and pamper yourself. Painting your nails and doing your own facial saves a lot of money. So take a leisurely bath, paint your fingernails and toenails and take the time to clean and moisturize your face.

Having a great weekend does not always require a lot of money. How did you spend your weekend?

There are many benefits from a slow economy

There are many benefits from a slow economy.

Spending time with family is a benefit from a slow economy. After a walk with my husband around the neighborhood, my daughter and I spent last night around the kitchen table painting. The cost was next to nothing but the quality time was immeasurable. Here is what we created.



This is my stress relieving works of art. I will be putting them in my garden. I have to find a spray that will stop the rain from washing the paint off of them. I think I have some in my workshop but it is old and I don’t know if it will spray or not. That is my project tonight.



This is Amanda’s work of art. She loves art. She wants to pursue a career in it. She will be graduating from high school next month. Then off to college in September to work for her Bachelors in Fine Arts.

I schedule time in my day to spend on things I like to do. We can all learn from the young. Watch a young person, when they get up they immediately start to play or do something they love. We can learn from them to stay young at heart. I try to get up early in the morning, not to complete never ending chores but to spend time doing something I love. Sometimes it is quiet time studying the scriptures or it may be doing my favorite craft. Then I proceed through my day completing necessary chores and tasks. As the day ends, I make sure to spend time with family. When we are done with dinner and some time together we all seem to go about our business in the household. Again, out come my creative projects and I work on them. Sometimes I am blessed with the company of my husband or one of my daughters. My oldest is a teacher and tends to like to work with paper projects. She makes wonderful cards and scrapbooking pages. I often help her get projects done for her classes though out the week.

How do you schedule your day? We would love to hear and learn from you.

I love getting a great deal expecially on Yarn!

I got such a deal today! I am so excited. I was at my great nephews 6th birthday party and my niece comes in with this bag I loved. (I am addicted to bags) She says she got it at a garage sale across the street. The woman who lives there makes them. Well she had a bunch and I bought my great niece one but guess what else she had. A HUGE bag of yarn, real nice yarn, some small amounts but a lot of full skeins. For 5 bucks. I couldn't believe it, only 5 bucks. Well, my sister in law and I are going to share it because I have a huge stash already. Oh, I love to get a deal.