{Money Saving Monday} - In Store Coupons

This is an example of what not to do!  A couple of weeks ago I went to Wal-Mart and saw that the Birthday Cake Oreos had a $1 off coupon attached.  I'd wanted to try them so I picked up a package.  Unfortunately, in the chaos of going through the checkout and making sure I used the couple of coupons that I'd brought with me I neglected to remove this coupon from the package and use it.  And since it blends right into the package the checker didn't notice it either.  haha!  So when I got home and put the groceries away, there was the coupon still on the package.  I've heard that you can bring the coupon and receipt to the store and they might credit you a $1 but since it's 100 miles roundtrip to the nearest Wal-Mart this isn't a feasible option for me.  So the lesson today is - If you give into temptation and buy an impulse item because it has a coupon attached make sure you actually use it when you go through the checkout!  (The Oreos were really good by the way.  If you haven't tried them yet I recommend them!)

{Favorite Things Friday} - Owls

On a recent trip to Billings I spotted this in the dollar bins at Michaels and just had to have it!  Owls have been popular for a while and I'd been looking for one so this was perfect - in my budget and useful too.  I keep it by my sewing supplies to hold my jewelry while I'm working on a project.

{Money Saving Monday} - Local Facebook Groups

My baby is 4 months old now and loves to sit up.  I was thinking that he'd be ready for an exersaucer soon so I searched for one online to see what was available and then I posted in our local facebook group to see if anyone had one for sale. I got an answer back right away and was able to pick this up today for just $15 (I later saw it at Wal-Mart for $40).  It's in great shape and I think my little guy likes it.  Just a reminder that if you can find something used you can save a lot of money.  See if your town has a facebook group for people to sell their used items on.  You may find just what you were looking for at a greatly discounted price!

{Favorite Things Friday} - Garage Sale Finds

I've never really been into going to garage sales but it's the big thing to do here in the summer time.  I guess because there's just a short span of time that you can even have garage sales here and the nearest thrift store is a half hour away so it's not always convenient to hit that up.  My neighbor had one last weekend and even though I'd planned on being one of the first ones there I ended up sleeping in so we didn't get over there till 10 but I still found some awesome stuff.

The first of my "must have" items was this game which was in perfect condition.  It was one of my favorites growing up.  My brothers and I played it all the time and I love it.  So glad to have my own copy now.

That's probably all that I would've bought but then they brought this beauty out and I snatched it up to the disappointment of everyone else who was there.  Isn't it gorgeous?  Just $5.  I'm thinking it would look amazing spray painted but knowing me it'll probably be like this for a while.  I'm so in love with it!  (Sorry the picture is wonky!  The chandelier kind of looks like Wall-E)

I also got this great tray that works perfectly for organizing my cabochon earrings I made recently.

These are the other treasures I got - a red bakelite bracelet, a plastic organizer, a glass frog and a white glass mini vase.  So cute!  Garage sales could def. be dangerous for me.  I better not go to very many of them.

{Whatever Wednesday} - Happy 4th of July

Hope y'all had a very Happy 4th of July.  Mine was full of Family, Food, Friends & Fireworks just like it should be.  But now I'm wondering if the fireworks will ever end.  People really should get the day AFTER the 4th off to sleep in!

{Tutorial Tuesday} - Crocheted Macbook Cover

I finished this up for my sister in law yesterday and love how it turned out.  She was at my craft booth a couple of weeks ago looking at my selection of tote bags and mentioned that she needed a bag for her macbook.  I suggested a crocheted cover and she liked the idea.  She likes sunflowers so I embellished it with those instead of my traditional daisies.  It was a fun project.

Supplies:
Worsted Weight Yarn
Size N Yarn Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Two Buttons

Use two strands of yarn throughout project.

Instructions:
1.  Loosely chain 31.
2.  Turn and hsc in second chain from hook and in each loop across (30 hsc).
3.  hsc 3 times in end of chain.
4. hsc in other side of chain across.
5.  hsc around and around until there are about 19 rows.
6.  to make the flap hsc across one side, ch2 and then turn and hsc back across.  (flap is about 8 rows)
7.  to make button holes chain 2, sc, chain 2 and then continue with hsc across
8.  Sew buttons in place
9.  (Optional) Crochet embellishment of your choice and sew in place.

If you'd like one for your laptop let me know!

{Money Saving Monday} - Free $

Saturday we opened a savings account for the baby and committed to depositing money in it each month.  It's something I've been thinking about and am glad we finally had the chance to go into town and make it happen.  But wouldn't you know it that when we got back to the house and I checked the computer I found out about getting free $ when you open a children's savings account with ING?  Through July 3rd when you open a savings account for a child you get an additional $17.76 deposited into the account.  Sounds like a good deal to me!