couponqueenofcorning

Now more than ever, it’s important to think about re-purposing your stuff. Before I throw something away, I often think to myself “How can I reuse this item?” Many things can be re-purposed or reused for something else.

Old adult jeans can be cut and used to make an apron or even a dress for your little girl. This, of course, takes a little sewing ability. You can reuse a men’s shirt to make a dress for your little girl. There really is so much you can do if you know how to use a sewing machine. (this is my goal for the new year). You can also use jeans to make yourself a jean quilt. These are extremely warm and do not need any batting.

Keep buttons from clothes that are just too worn to be of any good anymore. These can be used when if you sew your own clothes or if you lose a button. Maybe your kids could use these to make pictures and other crafts.

Butter tubs or whipped topping tubs can be reused to put food in or for lunches when you or your spouse are working. I keep a large one of these tubs in my freezer. Every time we eat veggies, any extra goes in the tub and when it’s full I use it to make stew or vegetable soup.

I remember my dad used to use baby food jars for his paint and to clean his brushes. I’ve used baby formula (dry) containers for a bank for my loose change. I cleaned it out, put a nice paper around it (from my scrapbooking supplies) and cut a hole in the top. You can also use oatmeal containers or peanut butter jars for banks. Some jellies come in nice jars and these can be used to drink out of or to hold things. I am reusing a huge container that had NesQuick powder in it, to store extra flour I get. (keep out bugs and keeps it fresh). Just make sure if you use something that had food in it or you will be using something to hold food, that you clean it and let it dry well.

 Any other ideas on how we can reuse things? I’d love to get your input.

If you’ve got kids, you’re going to need to clothe them. This can be very expensive, but  it doesn’t have to be. Knowing where and when to shop is key in getting clothes cheap or even for free.

My advice for everyone is to first sign up to be a member of a local freecycle chapter. Not only will you be able to get rid of your own stuff quickly and it won’t end up in a landfill, but you can also get some awesome stuff for free. Last yer, I wrote in that I was looking for a bread machine and ended up with 5 people answering it and offering me one (I love my bread machine by the way). So, you can really get some of the stuff you need without paying for it. I see kids clothes and adult clothes offered all the time on there. When responding to one of these ads about clothes, just make sure to ask about the condition of the clothes. You do not want to go pick up clothes that are all holey and tattered. Look through the class and pass on what you do not want to someone else on freecycle or the Salvation Army.

Ok. That brings me to my next place to shop for clothes - Salvation Army and other second hand clothing stores. My sister buys all her jeans at the Salvo (as it is often called). She gets name brand jeans that are barely worn for very little money. Stores that are near more upscale area often have extremely nice clothes, sometimes even with tags still on them. These places are great if you are trying to find clothes for work and or if the kids need a summer wardrobe.

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During yesterday’s post, I mentioned about the possibility of my husband getting laid off. Many people who thought their jobs were safe are getting laid off. So, maybe we should all have a plan of action ‘just in case’.

This is what I have done to prepare for a possible layoff:

1. Stockpiling -  I keep most of it in our basement where I have a closet under the stairs and have two bookcases where I keep canned goods. My stockpile of HBA products (household, bath) is really nice. I probably have enough to go 6 months with that stuff and I am always stocking up more. Whenever Rite Aid or Walgreens has a rebate that makes something I use FREE, I go buy it. I also stock up on stuff when I can use my coupons along with sales to get stuff cheap.I have about 2 months worth of canned goods and pasta. I keep foods that we will eat on a regular basis, so stuff gets used before it expires. We don’t have as much sugar or flour as I would like. If money started getting tight I could make a lot with just having a good stockpile of these, along with rice. I could make homemade pasta, bread, goodies, etc.  Our upright freezer is looking a little bare right now but I would like to get it stocked up more with veggies and more meat.So, my goal is to get my stockpile to a point where it will last us three months. I am going to go down there and take inventory and see where we are truly at. I need to make note of the things we need the most. Then when I see sales on the stuff (especially if I can combine with a coupon) I will increase my stockpile. Whatever I can’t get a good price on, I will get at Aldi’s. I have allotted an extra $40 this month for increasing my stockpile and will have about $30 for next month. Continue Reading »

Yes, it has been a while since I posted a Club HASAY update.  The first week of February I ended up getting tonsillitis. Then the next week I ended up getting a mild flu (but it was bad enough to make me feel like poo). During this time I have had little energy to get the household chores done, let alone actually get some exercise in. I am hoping to change that this week and actually get on a schedule. I have a schedule in place now that I am hoping will work. Since I have another class that I am taking (Spreadsheets - easy peasy, but still more work to do for it) I really need to stay on my schedule so I can get everything done.

Yesterday my husband told me that they were once again asking for people to take voluntary layoffs (can take as much time as they would like and the comp would keep their medical going). They also fired everybody who was still in their probation period with promises they would be the first to come back. They have plans to expand plant 1 this year (just announced last week) so hopefully things will get better in his plant. I am just hoping they can keep from actually laying off people until we at least sign the papers for our house. Once we get in the house we will be fine. I did an unemployment budget, and, although it might be tight and we will have to give things up like our cell phones and cable, we will be able to make it. So, that gives me peace of mind. I also can go out and get a part-time or full-time job if we needed the money. Are you prepare if the worst happens?

Ok. This week there are some decent deals going on. I also wanted to mention that our local Walgreens gives away a paper with any purchase on Sundays (of course there is a limited amount and seem to be gone by noon most times that I go). So, you may want to ask your local Walgreens if they also have this. It may just be a local agreement with the paper. But it cannot hurt to ask.

I usually don’t mention Kmart but they are doubling coupons up to $2 this week. So, if you have coupons you may want to stop over and see if you can get some deals. I know they had Purex and Arm and Hammer laundry detergent on sale.

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I’m sorry for my abscence. The first week of February I had tonsilitis and then last week I ended up getting the flu, which I’m still trying to get over. Add that with tons of work for my classes, running after kids and keeping up with the house and I’ve been crazy busy.

On that note, I do have some good ideas for posts and will also be continuing my frugal tips. The economy seems to be getting worse everyday and who know how much good this economic stimulus will do. One of my main concerns in this economy is that people are still losing their homes. The government needs to find a way to rewrite these people’s mortgages so they can stay in their homes. Between doing this and helping to create jobs, I think people will start having more confidence and spend more. I do expect this to take some time and I think the next year  or two might be really bad. My family and I are preparing for the worst. Even if things don’t get that bad, being prepared for the worst is always the best plan. So, I will be sharing with you what we are doing to prepare.

Until next time, keep your chins up and enjoy time with your family.