Tag: Saving Money

Frugal Tips & Tricks for Getting Your Backyard Ready for Summer Fun!

June 11, 2013 cleaning, Family Life, Frugal Living Tips, saving money

Frugal Tips & Tricks for Getting Your Backyard Ready for Summer Fun!

Summer is just about here which means is your backyard ready for summer fun? Just as we spring clean inside the house, we can often neglect the outside especially our backyard. That picture is of my brother’s yard and his wife does a wonderful job of maintaining it. It’s absolutely gorgeous with all the landscaping and her pool. She also uses many frugal tips to help get her yard and pool ready each summer for outdoor entertaining!

I was extremely fortunate to interview Sarah Saucedo from Thrifty Decor Chick Blog! She has amazing tips and I also have embedded a video of our phone interview below! She is such a sweetheart and she also has a gorgeous house with many of the projects that she did herself including her own backyard!

Sprucing up your outdoor space doesn’t have to break the bank. I have done very small things like nice outdoor planters with plants that need very little maintenance. Also, learn which plants are right for your area and if you have a certain amount of sun or shade. The front of my house gets lots of shade so I planted cast iron plants, holly ferns, and for color caladiums. Very easy to grow and they multiply. It’s pretty but I’m not out in the hot sun slaving away in my yard. I only have to do some pruning and dividing (cast iron plants will multiply) about twice a year.

Simple things can make a HUGE difference like spray paint or just cleaning! Watch this amazing video to learn more of her great tips!

Some of Sarah’s tips will include:

  • Maintain what you already have – find out how to keep your existing outdoor furniture looking fresh and new all season long, how to remove clutter effectively and maintain your area
  • Set the mood – décor doesn’t have to be expensive. Sarah will teach you how to use lighting and cheap table settings to up the festivity level
  • Let outdoor items perform double duty – use planters as food stations, buckets at fire places, and other creative fixes to maximize space and function
  • And much, much more!

Bath & Body Works BIG Semi-Annual Sale Online & In Stores (6/12)

June 11, 2013 Hot Deals, saving money, shopping sales

bbwsemiannualsale

WOO HOO!! Bath & Body Works BIG Semi-Annual Sale is ONLINE right now!

It starts tomorrow in all the stores!

SAVE BIG! Many Signature Body Items are only $3 each! WOW! I also have a $10 off $40 purchase coupon that was mailed to me.

Use Code: BBWSALE1040 to make $10 off $40 puchase. Free Shipping with $50 or more online purchase!

Don’t forget to use EBATES to Earn 2% Cash Back when you shop online!

FREE $10 Bonus for NEW USERS & Share the Love on Ibotta!

May 25, 2013 coupons, Ibotta, saving money, shopping sales, Store Match-Ups

ibotta-share-love

If you still haven’t joined Ibotta yet, then you can get a FREE $10 Bonus for NEW USERS & Share the Love on Ibotta!

NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN!

Send this to your friends and tell them that they can earn an extra $10 if they redeem 5 offers within their first 2 weeks of registering!

Offer valid for new, first-time Ibotta users only!

You only need $5 to cash out!

I have earned over $200 in 5 months from just buying the items I already do!

It is easy to use and you can use it conjunction with coupons for even more savings!

Even if you don’t use coupons, then you can still use it as it is super easy and already on your phone. Not sure which size to buy then you can scan it to make sure before purchasing! How easy is that?!!

You can use it at Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Target, Krogers, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and lots of other stores!

A DIY TV Cabinet Makeover & Saved Over $100!

May 4, 2013 Frugal Living Tips, saving money

cabinet-makeover

We bought new living room furniture and decided to do a DIY makeover to our current TV Cabinet stand. This is solid wood and a nice piece of furniture. I didn’t want to get rid of it as it has been around for over 14 years and still has lots of life left to give. I easily saved over $100 by redoing it myself.

We bought the one step step stain that has the polyurethane already mixed in so 2 coats and you are done. I went with a Bombay shade as I wanted a dark rich look when it was finished. I spent $10 on nickel plated hardware and got rid of the wood knob and brass hardware.

Hubby used a lint-free piece of cloth to clean it. Then he used a sand block so the stain would penetrate the wood. Then the cloth again to clean up any excess dust. Then stain it and let dry. Once dry use a piece of fine steel wool and again a cloth to wipe off excess dust. Apply the second and let dry and done! Voila!

Super easy and less than a couple of hours of work. The long part is allowing to dry during coats and after. Total cost with tax was $25.67! Not too shabby and it looks like a whole new piece of furniture. What do you think?

TMR Frugal Living Tip #100- Cut Facial Wipes in Half!

April 2, 2013 Beauty and Fashion Tips, Frugal Living Tips, saving money

Today’s frugal living tip is to cut your facial wipes in half! I know I definitely do not need to use a whole facial wipe when removing makeup. I mostly use them to remove eye makeup as I find it’s gentler on my eyes and removes more than eye makeup remover. I use both sides to get the maximum benefit. My mom cuts hers into quarters extending it even further. I find I do need at least half for myself.

It’s really easy to do though I would advise washing your scissors before hand to make it more sanitary. Cutting them in half will double your savings and one pack will last twice as long. It’s also less wasteful.

You can also apply this tip to fabric sheets and even to cotton square pads. I prefer to use cotton balls and stock up when on sale with a coupon. I normally buy the store brand as I can get better deals such as CVS or Target.

Do you use this tip already?