deodorant and chapstick

I feel like I am the neighborhood resource for "thriftyness" lately.

Not only has saving money become necessary in our house, it has become a game.

I am releasing a few tips and one DIRTY SECRET to help you all through some tough economic times.  Saving pennies counts!

 + Tiny Bottles - I've seen each and every one of you leave a hotel with the tiny shampoos in your bag.  I don't know if we think it some how justifies the hotels astronomical rates, or if we just need a keepsake from our night in the Red Roof Inn.  We all take the tiny bottles (they ARE cute).  Well folks, it's time to use them up.  Stop saving them to use as "travel sizes" for your next trip...that will never happen because you forget they are under the sink.
I do find that they are often really cheap and will leave your hair feeling less than clean.  But...as an alternative, use them for your dog, kids or as body wash.  Instead of buying a new bottle when yours is only half gone (that just makes you waste it faster to get to the new stuff)...dig deep and pull out those samples of Brand X shampoo!

 + Give your husband a chance with the scissors - This may sound really frightening, but saving $40 on that haircut every couple months really adds up.  In the past year that I have sworn off haircuts, I figure I've saved over $500 from cuts and color.  Although I have yet to let Jahred cut my hair, I would be willing to let a friend or even myself give a little trim.  I cut his Jahreds hair for goodness sake and perhaps it would renew that "just in love" spark to let him cut mine (or cause a divorce).  But seriously, growing your hair out just encourages creativity for new styles (or gets you into a pony tail only slump).  Big dollars to be saved here.

 + Stop Tipping - No, I'm not that mean...I just order my food to go.  We have a local fine dining restaurant that we LOVE to eat at.  The problem is, we have no disposible income to do so.  On those desperate nights when we are deciding between rice with noodles or canned corn with 1 can of sliced ripe olives...we simply call the restaurant and order the food to go.  Although they don't advertise as having "to go", they have no problem packing us 2 meals from the menu.  They even include the side salad, dressing and bread.  The portions are the same size or larger...the bonus is, no $15 tip on top of the meal charge.  Don't forget to heat the leftovers for a lunch the next day.

 + Let the Sun Shine - This summer, instead of spending loads on sun screen, aloe and after burn cream, just put on a white long sleeve tee and wear a hat.  Those nasty chemicals in sunscreen may be linked to cancer anyway...and sunscreen isn't effective in water, sweat...and wears off throughout the day.  For kids, a long sleeve tee is the best way to go, safe, effective and no worries.  T-shirts can go in the pool, through the sprinkler and since legs barely get sunburned, leave them lotion free to catch the Vitamin D!!!

 + Be Smelly - I'm convinced that the more you use deodorant and chapstick, the more you need it!  Here's my dirty little secret.  In our house, we have 1 stick of deodorant, it is Secret brand and it was the stick I got in my "Welcome to College" pack in 2001.  Jahred and I have been sharing this stick for years and it still has miles to go.  Sweating is natural!  Of course there are times when a little prevention goes a long way...but lay off and you will find you might need less.  Same goes for chapstick.  Just don't think about it and STOP LICKING YOUR LIPS.  All you do with chapstick is lose it anyway.

COME SEE ME!  Instead of taking the kids to Valley Fair or paying to go to a crappy in.  Come to a farmers market or art fair.

Here is a list of places I will be this summer if you want to see a little of what I do and have your family entertained for FREE!

May 16 and 17 - Johnstock Fair in Minneapolis
May 30 and 31 - MayFair in Afton Minnesota (gorgeous river town)
June 20 - International Festival of Burnsville

All other Saturdays I will be at the Mankato Farmers Market living it up with farmers and friends alike.

Enjoy a summer of saving on necessities and splurging on FUN!