Rephrasing My Words

I'm THAT Mom. 

You know.... the ONE. 

You know, the one who says, "No".  Driving home my daughter begs and pleads," Mom can we go to McDonalds for dinner?  PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE?"  Knowing full well that we have plenty of food to make at home, I indicated that we wouldn't be eating at McDonalds for dinner.  "Why not!?!?" she proceeds to ask. 

Up until about the past few months my response to her question would be, "Because we can't afford it."  As a result she would drop the subject.  We would go home, make dinner, eat and go on with our evening.  I, immediately thinking she was perfectly satisfied and happy with eating the dinner we just made, think nothing of the earlier conversation. 

A couple weeks later we are running errands and paying bills.  Juggling from this bank and that place to pay this bill and that one.  Grocery shopping at Sams Club to get these deals and going to another store for this other deal.  After we are finished running all our errands, I am ready to go home.  My daughter asks if we are finished, and I told her we were done.  As we are driving home, she sees McDonalds and asks if we can eat there. 

I am going to be honest and say that I really don't care for  McDonalds very much.  Personally, after eating there, I end up much hungrier.  Even eating off the dollar menu, it tends to get pricey.  The portions seem to be shrinking.  And it isn't just me.  If I feed my kids a double cheeseburger from there, they are ALWAYS hungry within a short period of time. 

I tell my daughter that we can't afford McDonalds, thinking this an easy answer to get out of having to go there.  She immediately quetions me with why we can't afford it.  She informs me that she knows I have money in my purse and since we are finished paying the bills and doing grocery shopping, we have some money so we CAN afford it.  I was dumbfounded. 

Yes, daughter there is money in my purse left over, but not much.  With that money I have to buy gas during the week and anything else that comes up.  There were a number of things I wanted to say in response.  I completely understood her asking.  She had been wanting McDonalds for a little while now.  I could easily take her and my son there.  Come on, what kind of mother am I?  In response to myself, I reply, "The frugal, loving one."

So I told her what I needed to say, "Bug, I am sorry.  I can afford to take you guys to McDonalds, but it is less expensive to cook at home.  It is also healthier."  I went on and on and somehow we got on the topic of Olive Garden and how overly expensive it is to dine at Olive Garden.  In comparison I can make us Chicken Alfredo for MUCH cheaper and we like it better than the restaurant's version.  I expected her to argue or say something shocking, but she didn't.  She looked like she was thinking really hard. 

"How much does it cost at Olive Garden for the three of us to eat?"

I explained that just for me it was about $15 plus the two kids meals being about $5-$6 each.  I also explained the concept of tax and tips.  I informed her it would be over $30.  She looked like she was in total shock.  

I explained how much it costs for us to make it at home and how much I make at a time, so we can have leftovers for one more night of dinner, plus me bringing that to lunch for a couple or so days.  "And" I explained, "It is much cheaper than Olive Garden still plus we like mine better."  She had a big grin on her face. 

In the midst of talking about McDonalds, Olive Garden and money, I learned a lesson.  I learned to watch my words and focus on the meaning of what I say.  "We can't afford it" or "I don't have money"simply isn't acceptable.  We can afford it, I just choose to not spend it on that.  I now say, " I don't want to spend my money on that."  In effect, my daughter completely accepts and understands that. 

Yes, I do treat them every once in a while but I try to explain to them the cost so they understand.  The other night my son was asking to go to Olive Garden since he had seen a commercial on the tv.  My daughter instantly intercepted and informed him how we can make it at home for much cheaper and get lots more food.  Wow, she actually listens.  :)

Little Pink Tools Giveaway

As a single mommy and not having a man around the house to help do things, I must admit that I have to rely on the good works of other men or people I know.  I will admit that sometimes it is extremely difficult not being able to do things on your own because you don't have the tools to do so.  I just stumbled upon an amazing giveaway!!  Have you heard of Little Pink Tools?  Check them out here http://www.littlepinktools.com/Default.aspx  Aren't they the greatest ever???  Right now there is a giveaway for them at Born 2 Impress http://kidzborn2impress.blogspot.com/2011/04/born-2-impress-pampered-mom-event_08.html

I would LOVE to win these.  It would to actually have the means to do some items on my own.  :)  Check out the giveaway and enter.  :)

Money Mistakes Part 1

In reading the book The Tightwad Gazette, she mentions money mistakes her and her husband had made in the past. It got me to thinking about my money mistakes I have made.  Well, let's see what I would consider money mistakes that I have learned from:
                Money Mistake #1

• Apartment Dumb Moment- I was living in an apartment, and my lease was fulfilled.  I could have looked around prior to my lease expiring and found a place, finish my lease and move into a new place.  However, I didn't choose that path.  I just decided to stay put and see what would happen.  I got my rent bill in the bill shocked to see my bill at $1,059.00 (rent was only $875.00 on the lease including water).  That might not sound like much to some people, but it was a huge shock to me.   I started looking around and found a place to move.  I called my apartment management office and informed them I would be moving out and asked how I go about that.  I was informed pretty much that I move and hand in the keys and that is it.  It seemed pretty easy and simple to me.  I moved in a hurry to a condo willing to charge less than I was paying.  I had people help move and get it all squared away.  The last day I moved, the office somehow was closed (middle of the day on a Saturday and they are ALWAYS open on  Saturday.)  I took my keys and put them in an envelope, sealed the envelope and put it in the drop box.  I didn't bother to get my security deposit and cleaning deposits back.  I figured they would just try to dicker me out of the money somehow, and I really didn't have the time for it.   Imagine my shock when I had my credit report checked and found a collection agency with a charge of over $2,500.00!!!  I called and questioned the validity of these charges.  It turns out I was supposed to send a WRITTEN notice to the office 60 DAYS prior to moving out, even if I was on a month to month term.  They also charged for cleaning (even though they had my cleaning deposit), taking a bag of trash out, installing new carpet (even though they install new carpet prior to any tenant moving in), and numerous other things.  I asked to speak with management and was informed the charges were correct, and on top of those charges, I would be charged interest every single day they were in collections.  Needless to say, I learned my lesson the hard way.  I made timely payments and got the entire thing paid off in full.  I was so upset. 

Lesson Learned: ALWAYS check your contract and go in and double check in the office.
Mistake: So about $2,500.00                     
       Money Mistake #2

• Princess and the Pea- I received a mattress that was past its prime.  I started sleeping on my couch at one point and just couldn't take it any longer.  I decided to go out looking at mattresses.  Granted I didn't really go out and look at different stores like most people would.  I went to one store and just liked the feel of the store.  My sister and I decided to start laying on mattresses and see how things felt.  I ended up falling for a nice set which ended up costing over $1,000.00 (not including the mattress pad and delivery).  Had I been smart and priced out and tested other stores, I would have noticed a huge difference in price.  Yes, I fell for the ever too eager salesperson talking about "how perfect and comfortable this bed here" was.  Later on while shopping for a few items, I realized Sams Club has really nice sets for about half the price and it is the same brand and everything.  DOH!  And no, the company I bought the bed from doesn't offer refunds or exchanges. 

Lesson Learned: ALWAYS price out items at more than three stores. 
Mistakes: So about $500.00.

      Money Mistake #3

• Sally's- I shopped at Sally's $5.00 clothing store a few years ago and was all excited about a few items that were so cute I thought at the time with such great prices.  I instantly bought them and brought them home.  I washed them and wore them once or twice before they literally fell apart.  I'll never forget having an unraveling string and I pulled it once and BAM one of the shirts was completely torn apart.  Another fell apart in the washer.  I pulled some clothes out of the washer and went to put it in the dryer to notice pieces/fragments of one of the shirts.  Oh how dumb. 

Lesson Learned: Buy quality items.  Don't shop at a store just because of the price.  I would have been better off shopping at a thrift store and buying used clothes that would last.
Mistake: So about $26.75  (5 shirts plus tax)


What Mistakes have you made when it comes to purchases?
To Be Continued................

New to the "Wal-Mart Matching Price" Game

Well, I learned recently that Wal Mart will match competitor ads.  Don't ask me where I have been.  I had heard this about two years ago and they wouldn't match the price on fruits and veggies, so I immediately gave up.  Well recently I heard about them price matching and I tried it. 

Two weeks ago in one of the grocery ads, I saw the magic numbers mixed with perfect words: Oranges 10 pounds for a $1 Who in the world can beat that?  I went in to Wal Mart ready with ads in hand.  They matched the price and were so nice about it.  I went home and tried an orange.  I must say that Wal Mart has the best oranges I have had in the past few years.  They are so delicious.  They are much better than the oranges I have tasted lately.  And at 10 cents a pound, who can compare?

This week I was looking through the ads and noticed the following great buys and went to Wal-Mart last night for price matching:

• oranges at 8 pounds for $1
• Ramen Noodles 10 packs for $1 (normally you can only get 7 packs for a dollar even on sale )
• Mushrooms $1 for 8 oz. package
• Strawberries 2 for $2 ($1 each obviously)

I plan to go thoroughly through my ads tomorrow night and make a list to incorporate with our grocery shopping.  I normally don't buy meat or chicken from Wal-Mart because from what I had been told by friends, they are much more expensive than others.  Last night while looking around though, I noticed chicken breast at $1.78 a pound.  Others charge $1.99 a pound on sale.  I guess I will be watching more closely and planning our menu around this price. 

The chicken breast and mushrooms are the perfect price for me to buy to make my Cajun Chicken Pasta dish.  Mmmmmmmmm. 

Girls' Night In is at my house this weekend, and we do it potluck style.  It has been a while since I have been able to get a girls night together so I am really excited.  Everyone brings something yummy to eat and share.  In addition to everyone enjoying the yummy foods, we play cards (which everyone gets really competitive over  ;)  ) and catch up by talking and enjoying each other.  Inexpensive fun.  :)  What better words can there be? 

Tangled Again

OH my goodness, have I mentioned how much I absolutely LOVE the movie Tangled yet?  Needless to say, I do.  :)  This movie was by far one of the best Disney movies I have seen, like I mentioned before. My kids absolutely loved it. My daughter was glued to the theatre. It was such a great movie.


Mandy Moore plays such a great princess.  I just love her voice.  And the MUSIC!!!!!!!!!  Oh my goodness she is awesome. 
 
Looking for a giveaway for this movie?  Check this out:
 http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2011/03/29/princess-world-disneys-tangled-giveaway
This is a blog I just stumbled upon and I am so happy that I did.  It seems like a blog I plan to continue watching and follow.  Check her out!

Tangled

I took my kids to see the movie Tangled this past weekend.  This movie was by far one of the best Disney movies I have seen.  My kids absolutely loved it.  My daughter was glued to the theatre.  It was such a great movie. 

Right now Two Of a Kind Working On a Full House is having a giveaway for the movie.  Check out her giveaway here :    http://www.twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.com/2011/03/disneys-tangled-blu-ray-dvd-combo-pack.html My daughter informed me after we left the theatres that she is going to ask Santa for that for Christmas.  Considering her birthday is in June, I really hope to win this so I can give it to her for her birthday.  She would be so excited, jumping up and down. 

I highly suggest going to see this movie and/or purchasing this if you haven't seen this.  It definitely is so adorable and I know you will love it.  (At least I do!)

Learn more about the movie here: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/tangled/?int_cmp=tan_WDSHE_MoviesCat_Meta1_LearnMore_Intl

It's That Time of Year Again!!!

What time is that, you might ask?  TAX TIME!  With all the great things I have donated to thrift stores this year, it sure added up.  I also made sure to pay my tithing and that definitely helped out.  I went and got my taxes filed and sent them off this past weekend.  It felt really nice to have it all done. 

With me having made much less in 2010, I sure was happy to see the amount on my tax return.  I was actually in shock.  I was scared I might owe since I didn't pay much in taxes.  But with all these tax credits, I am happy to say I do not owe and will be receiving something back  :)  That is a huge relief off my shoulders.  I definitely don't know much about taxes, but I was happy to pay the $75 to my CPA to get it all worked out and together.  I have been going to this CPA for the past few years.  I feel confident that he does my taxes.

Have you filed your taxes yet?  Are you waiting til the last minute?  If you received a tax return, what do you plan on doing with that money?  Paying off bills?  Saving?  Purchasing a Big Ticket item?