shushing up the poor mouth...

this time of year is always a little wonky…financially…for everybody. & unless you’re a bazillionaire or just hit the lotto, the couple of months after the holidays, amidst tax returns (if any), & planning summer vacations can make folks crazy (okay, maybe just me on the vacay part); seems like quite a stretch until that happy bank account appears again. soup & pb&j days, perhaps? (especially with the economy so stupidly unpredictable.) you know, it really doesn’t have to be though. yep, i said it, i believe it! it’s actually pretty simple to save here & there when you plan for it. don’t think of it as being cheap or doing without the “finer” things. think of it as a lifestyle that betters your environment & your pockets; leaving some nice leverage to splurge when you want to! **disclaimer: i am not a money or economic or statistics expert…i repeat, no expert! these are just a few things that i have personally explored or found to be beneficial to our family’s income, livelihood, & sleeping a little better at night-lihood!

1. it's okay to coupon. for reals. you don’t have to stock pile or buy 20 tubes of toothpaste in one swoop, but you’d be surprised how a few trips to the grocery following a list with clippings in hand, each trip, will add up. & who cares about the person rolling their eyes behind you in line when you present your magic money to the clerk. i’ve had this happen before, & when the cashier told me that i’d saved over 40 bucks off of my total (with in-store savings & coupons), i heard a “holy crap!” from the lady behind me…ha! *other times have left me speechless having spent 50 smackers on over $120 shopping spree…all things that were needed & regularly bought!
2. 2nd hand is always new in my closet. be it thrifted or consigned or found at a girlfriend closet swap, there is always something fun waiting to be discovered (& recycled). not to mention, it’s incredible what a box of rit dye can do to refresh an oldie but a goodie. *need ideas or tips on how to get the most bang for your buck (…literally!), then check out refashionista.net!
3. cool on the cheap. there are a million & one free things to do around your area if you are looking. picnics in the park, visiting local playgrounds, scavenger hunts around the city…plus, most museums have a free day at least once a month. & there is almost always a festival of sorts going on. you’ll be amazed at what activities are out there.
4. invest in things that make a difference in the long run. from the simplest reusable water bottle to changing your air conditioner filter every month to slowly replacing all of the household light bulbs to the ecofriendly variety. even using cold water to wash a load of clothes or turning the water off when you brush your teeth; i swear this saves energy & money around the homestead…you will see a difference after awhile.
5. just because it's on sale doesn't make it a bargain. are you guilty of having tagged items hanging in your closet because you’ve never worn them, but it was 75% off? i am. i used to be notorious for this or only wore it once! what the heck? ah, yes…sales. but did you fall in love with it, had to have it because it filled an ensemble void in your life? if not, let it be. it’s not saving shitake at the end of the day if it’s hanging around not being worn slap out. just…let it be!
6. kid's nights. a ton of restaurants offer a kid’s eat free (or at a discount) night with the purchase of an adult entrée. i love this for the simple fact that my child has healthy options besides fast food if i’m away & the hubs is in charge of dinner. (& it’s cheaper)
7. these aren't your momma's leftovers. i have spent countless eons (seems like) trying to predict how much of one single meal will get eaten up entirely because my boys really don’t do the  whole leftover thing. it’s a pain. but, i have discovered the lovely sandra lee on food network (plus, her book) to save me from total food waste. one meal into 2 with a little planning & creativity. her recipes are feasible, economical, & 2^nd day transformational! you’re gonna love her…& she caters to all food lifestyles, little ones, etc.
8. free literature! i don’t want to even think about all the years, pre-monkey, that i went without a library card…*cringe! no holdup necessary…um, free. it’s an all-access to travel, food, adventures, drama, chaos…endless possibilities, people! i’m a huge lover of tv, the interwebs, & “hellooo” book store-a-ramas; however, the library makes me so happy. & my monkey lights up at the thought of even visiting it (seriously!). books, magazines (which cost a bazill anymore), audio books (a la no time for hitting the big ole paper weights, but plenty of time in the car), free downloads for you kindle, nook, etc, movie checkouts; even internet access, if you’re without at home. it really is a shame to not take advantage!
9. DIY or barter. costs can be cut when you dissect a project & figure out that you can do-it-yourself! really, you can. & the accomplishment is very rewarding. but, if you feel that you can’t reach the desiredness of a certain feat, i bet you know someone who can. do you knit, but hate to paint…know a painter who needs a scarf? (see where i’m going with this?)

in a nutshell, treat yourself! you work hard, don't feel like you can't enjoy it! but, seek out the resources that are available (& awesome & remorseless) so that you aren’t overwhelmed when the unexpected dollar amounts tend to knock you upside the noggin...you know, when you’re least expecting it.