cheap thrills

I LOVE dollar stores. I had never been in one until I moved to southern California in 2001. My best friend, who I was lucky enough to be roommates with, introduced me to the wonderful world of dollar stores and I have been a customer ever since! My local Dollar Tree has tons, I mean TONS, of home decor stuff. Yes, it's not the same quality you'd get at Pier 1 or Cost Plus World Market or Pottery Barn but when you have 2 boys under 3, why would you want that awesome expensive stuff anyway? You wouldn't, trust me.

So, I hit up the Dollar Tree every 4-6 weeks or so to get some festive decorations (read: window clings) to match whatever holiday is around the corner (I went a little crazy with the Easter/Spring window clings, who can resist cute bunnies and flowers and bugs?) When I was at the Dollar Tree a few days ago, I also found this totally awesome wall sticker and I just HAD to buy it. For a buck?!?!? I didn't know the Dollar Tree had such cool wall stickers! Maybe this is a new thing??

I put it on the bedroom wall in the boys room

I love it.

As you know, I love quotes. As you also know, I don't like spending money. In other words, I totally scored! And the fact that I put it in the room my boys sleep in (ok, they don't sleep in there all the time) is even cooler to me.

Have you found any smokin' deals on cool stuff lately? I'd love to hear about it =)

Have a great day!

With my mind on my money and my money on my mind

"After a visit to the beach, it is hard to believe that we live in a material world." -Pam Shaw

Such a profound quote.

Money is on my mind today, in a big way. I am in charge of the finances in the family and normally I do a superb job (if I may say so myself), but today, I definitely did not do a superb job and I have been beating myself up over it left and right.

Then, I found this quote (remember, I like quotes...) by Clifford Odets: "Life shouldn't be printed on dollar bills."

That quote just seemed to lift a weight off of my shoulders. If I could just step back and breathe, I would remember that life isn't about the numbers in my bank account....it's really not.

That being said, I wanted to find some things to share in the money department, possibly some things that could help me (and you) live a less stressing life when it comes to balancing the checkbook.

• Carry less cash. At one point I definitely remember hearing somewhere that carrying cash was the way to go over using your debit/credit card. But I've run into a problem with carrying cash, I see it as "fun" money, as having some extra cash. In order to fix this dilemma, I've decided to only carry enough cash for what I need. No extra dollars to tempt me into buying something (*cough* a really good cookie) that I don't need.
• Stop saving my information with online vendors. This was my way of "saving time" when it came to ordering online, but then I found it a whole lot easier to click the "buy now" button since it was so simple, I noticed things adding up that I didn't REALLY need. Clicking that button ("one-click ordering" anyone?) kind of eliminated the feeling of spending, therefore, I spent more. So from now on, I will always say "no" when I am asked if I would like to "save my information for a quicker check-out next visit."
• I will stop clipping coupons I don't need. Yes, clipping coupons is a great way to save money, if it's on things that are already on my list to buy.....but so many times I find myself clipping a coupon for some makeup or hair dye or junk food or....the list is endless. Coupons are great, when you clip the ones you need. It's time to skip the one's that look enticing but aren't necessities.
• Did you know, an average family of 4 spends $4,000 on take-out every year?! Holy cow that's a lot of money! I'm glad we're not an "average" family!! Planning ahead is one thing that has definitely saved me money. I go to the grocery store (Winco! Hooray!) 2x a month and have my entire list in hand and my calculator in the other (and sometimes a few coupons) and I've definitely noticed my grocery bill has decreased. Eating out is now considered a serious treat in our family, which isn't such a bad way to be. 

This has been therapeutic for me, thanks for letting me download :)

One last quote:
"Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that." Norman Vincent Peale