Work Your Wallet Wednesday #5

Okay, so…..

It’s Wednesday.

This is the part where I beg ask that if you have ever contemplated linking up to the party, you do so today. Because this puppy’s on life support and I’m about to pull the plug! (Oh that sounded morbid – sorry if you actually have a dog! lol) Today makes or breaks the party, girls! I have seen a few of you link up your groceries and thrifting finds to other parties and not to mine, and I’m not sure why! :) I’m trying not to take it personally! lol

Moving on! :)

This year hasn’t been exceptional for me in the yard sale department yet. I am really trying to be super frugal with my money and make sure I really, really like the item before I bring it home. (This is because I already have about 4 boxes full of “projects” – items that need to be painted or otherwise fixed – already waiting for me!)

So Lindsay and I went an estate sale and 3 church sales last weekend, and my finds are nothing spectacular – mostly organizational/kitchen items - but here you go anyway:

4 white bowls, 50 cents total (I’m transitioning all of my dishes over from black to white or glass – only plates are left to find! Yay!)

Pasta container and brown bin – not in perfect shape, but great for holding Luke’s pjs downstairs; $2 for both (the tag on the bin says $24.99 – seriously?!):

Pitcher for iced tea, 25 cents

“Tupperware” –50 cents:

I also got a pair of jeans for $1.50 but I’m wearing them and I’m way too lazy to take them off for a photo. :)

So, that’s all! Nothing crazy but all items that I put to good use immediately.

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So, what have you shopped for lately?
Please remember the 3 simple rules:

1. Show items found or purchased for $50 or less (no DIY projects, please, or your link will have to be deleted).

2. Link back to my blog so others can find the party (feel free to use the button!).

3. Link only to your post, not your blog as a whole.

Here goes nothing! ;)

Work Your Wallet Wednesday #4

Hey everybody! A lot of you are new here since the last party, so if you’re interested in joining us, visit this post for all the info!

This weekend, as you already read, I was in Connecticut. My mom and I only got the chance to go to one sale at a local high school gymnasium. I did find a Laura Ashley bed-skirt for $2.50 but I’m not showing the picture because it was more of a necessity rather than something I really liked. And while I did get some fabulous deals at CVS, I am restraining myself decided to give you guys a break from my drugstore finds and show you two things that came to me recently by the way of FREE. That’s how I like to work MY wallet, baby! :)

So my brother dated a wonderful girl a few years ago that my sister and I absolutely loved. They shared a love of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. (If you know my brother, you know he’s kind of an old soul. haha) Unfortunately, they broke up, and while cleaning out his stuff recently he decided I could have the sign she had given him. If you happen to be reading this, Rachael, I love the sign and wish you were still dating my brother! lol

Cute, right? I have seen these for sale at Kohl’s (the price tag on the back reads $29.99).

Now, onto the chair. We came home from church one day to see that my neighbor was giving this away on the side of the road and I went over and snatched it up! I am in looooooove with it. Of course, it wasn’t exactly a casual event. It kinda went down like this (both of us sitting in the car in the driveway, staring at my neighbor’s yard):

Me: “Oh my gosh babe I love that chair!”

Chris: “Okay.”

Me: “Is it white-trash to pick junk off our neighbor’s lawn?”

Chris: “Um, YES.”

Me: “Oh.”

……

“But you’re gonna come with so I don’t feel stupid, right?!”

She needs a good coat of stain and possibly paint (I haven’t decided yet), but the base swivels and I just love how old-school it is! I will probably need to sand the rust. Oh, and don’t mind the mess – this chair is in our office which tends to be a catch-all for all of our stuff, and this is my husband’s corner, which is why you can see his toolbox and his business paperwork!

Well, those are my two finds! Show me what you found or purchased this week – can’t wait to see!

Please remember the 3 simple rules:

1. Show items found or purchased for $50 or less (no DIY projects, please!).

2. Link back to my blog so others can find the party (feel free to use the button!).

3. Link only to your post, not your blog as a whole.

Party away! :)

Work Your Wallet Wednesday - 3rd Edition

**EDIT: I'm noticing that Mr. Linky is being really weird today and sometimes not showing up - even in two different internet browsers. If it's not working for you, I'm so sorry - I have no idea what's up! If you don't mind, please leave a comment if you can or can't see it -because currently I can't!**

Welcome, everyone! Today’s the day to show off those deals! If you’re new here, check out this link to see the party “rules.”

I worked at our local flea market this weekend with Lindsay – we had so much fun but since we were working we didn’t get a chance to scour the deals like we normally do. But we each made a decent amount of money and I can honestly say it was fun talking and bargaining with people! I made $164, which will be yard sale and date money for the next few months. :)

Here we are, bright and early (we got up at 5:15)!

Here’s some of our stuff about two hours in – yup, we just laid it all out there and people just dug their way through it. It wasn’t the prettiest layout but it did the job!

I picked up a few plastic bins (I am obsessed with baskets) and bought a few pieces of fake fruit from Lindsay.

However, the REAL deal of the week was at CVS! I know I showed you my trip last week but I just can’t help myself – it’s too good to pass up! :)

The picture below cost me TWENTY-ONE CENTS! Plus I was given 9 Extra Bucks for my next trip to the store.

Here’s how I did it:

1 Dove Shampoo
1 NutriSkin body wash
5 boxes Puffs w/lotion
1 roll CVS paper towel
1 bath poof
2 Dove milk chocolate bars
(wow, just realized it’s kinda weird that Dove makes shampoo and chocolate! lol)

Used:
$2/1 Dove coupon (internet)
$1/1 NutriSkin body wash (internet)
1 $1/1 and 4 $.50/1 Puffs coupons from Vocalpoint
$1/1 CVS paper product (from the red machine)
$1/1 CVS skin care item (from the red machine)
10 EB from last week’s trip
{the two candy bars were thrown in at the last minute for my husband b/c my subtotal was too low at that point to use my Extra Bucks)

Paid:
$.21

Given:
$4.50 EB from the Dove
$4.49 EB from the NutriSkin

I can honestly and truly say that were it not for Crystal Paine’s website and learning how to shop at CVS two and a half years ago, there is a good chance I might not have been able to stay at home with my son. Shopping this way has saved us literally thousands of dollars and I am so thankful for her blog!

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Now it’s your turn!

Please remember the three simple rules of the party.

1. Finds or purchases must be $50 or less per item and in an unaltered state. (Please no DIY projects – save those babies for the other fabulous parties!)

2. Make sure you link up to your blog post and not your blog as a whole.

3. Please link back here so others know where to join the party (use the button if you’d like!)

Can’t wait to see what all of you have found!

Work Your Wallet Wednesday #2

Welcome! If you're new to WYWW, check out this link where I explain what the party's all about.

This week I stopped at CVS to take advantage of their diaper sale and I am SO glad I did!
Here's what I came home with:

Now, usually my "target" price for diapers is what Target sells them for (haha, seriously!) - $19.99. I always have $2 coupons from the paper, so normally I get a box for $17.99. If they're on sale, even better - but I have to buy Pampers brand only and clearly they're not something I can get away with not having for a week or two, so I don't stress out about the price too much.

However, this entire picture cost me $9.49 - plus I was given TEN extra bucks to spend for next time! Now that's a great deal!

Here's how I did it, if you're curious (I did have some great coupons to use):

Transaction #1

Pantene Shampoo ($2.99)

Pantene Conditioner ($2.99)

2 Olay Hand Renewal dish liquid ($.96 each)

Used:

2 $2/1 Pantene product from Vocalpoint

(I highly encourage you to sign up for this if you haven't already -

they send AMAZING things to your mailbox!)

$1/2 Olay coupon from a Sunday paper

Paid:

3 EB - nothing out of pocket

Received:

2 EB from the Pantene (1 EB from each)

Transaction #2

3 packages of CVS wipes ($2 each)

1 package of diapers ($19.99)

Used:

$4.50 off box of diapers (CVS coupon from the red machine)

$2 off baby purchase of $10 or more

(also from the red machine - I told you I had sweet coupons to use!)

$2/1 Pampers coupon from a Sunday paper

5 EB

2 EB from Pantene

Paid:

$9.49

Received:

10 EB (from purchase of $25 in baby items)

I could have done a happy dance in the store right there! I would have been thrilled enough to get a box of diapers that cheap, but throw in all that other stuff AND my 10 EB, too?! Thrilled. :)

Check out any of the links on my right sidebar for more info about to shop frugally at CVS.

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Now it's your turn!

Please remember the 3 simple rules for participating:

1. Finds must be $50 (or less) per item and in an unaltered state.

2. Please link back to my blog so others can join the party

(use the button if you'd like!).

3. Make sure you link up to your blog post, not your blog as a whole.

Can't wait to see what all of you have found!

Work Your Wallet Wednesday: Recap

It's a little scary to start a party and wonder if anyone will show - but my goal was 5 linkers and that's what happened! Whew! Thanks to all of you who joined - I hope you will all come back again to show off those fabulous finds! My family came to visit us this weekend, which is why I'm so late in showing off these pictures. In case you didn't get a chance to check out everyone's links, here's a recap:

The Thriftress found some great deals at a vintage tag sale, including these cool plates (I have a thing for cream or white plates myself):

The Fickle Hobbyist found this vintage desk for TWO DOLLARS - can you believe it?!

Lindsay (one of my BFFs in real life) scored some serious deals at CVS

- go on over to see what she paid!

Nancy added some candlesticks to her collection - love the aged look of this one:

And last but definitely not least, Heather spent less than $32 on all of this food - it covers the table!

So remember, anything goes if it's $50 or less! Groceries, CVS, yard sales, whatever!

Come back on Wednesday to show it all off - today I had one of my best days EVER at CVS that I'll be showing you all then. :)

Work Your Wallet Wednesday: First Ever!

Hey everybody!

I hope you're all ready to show off your bargain finds! This weekend I was able to hit up a high school rummage sale and also found two things at the opening weekend of our local flea market. I though I'd show you a few things I found:

This $2 picture was exactly what I've been looking for - a good sized frame and a flat print behind it - there is a chalkboard menu in my near future! :)

I have been looking for a cheese dome and this one is in perfect condition for $2:

This good-quality shelf came with 2 picture frames for $2. Tag on the back says $24.99.

I've been looking for another tablecloth and this one was perfect for $1.

I don't have an electric skillet and this one was only $2 - the design is a little old-school but it works just fine.

And one of my most exciting finds was a hard-cover Suzanne Somers book for $1 since I just started the diet! Retail price is $25.00 - score!

Our local flea market opened this weekend and it wasn't nearly as busy or full as normal, probably because it was overcast and freezing. I did pick up this little apothecary jar for $.25 - I think that makes my total up to 7 now - I love these things!

I also found this little "Love" sign for $1 - obviously needs to be painted but I'm thinking maybe mod-podged, tea-stained sheet music? (My husband and I are both musicians).

Not bad for $11.25!

Okay, now it's YOUR turn!

I'm so excited to see what you all have been shopping for lately!

Please check out this post if you'd like more info on Work Your Wallet Wednesday.
Otherwise, let's get on with the party!

Please remember the three simple rules for participating:

1. Your finds must be $50 or less (per item) and in an unaltered state.

2. Please link back to this party somewhere in your blog

so others know where to join in if they'd like -

feel free to use the button if you want to!

3. Make sure you link up to your specific post rather than your blog in general.

This makes it so much easier for others to find your entry!

(If you're not sure how to do this, check out comment #1.)

Easter, Fatty Food, TMI and a Rummage Sale

I really have nothing super important to say today, so I figured what the heck I'll just mash all of my random thoughts into one blog post! :)

Easter:

I have seen so many cute photo shoots with little girls in their Easter dresses and gloves, but just wanted to know what any of you moms of boys do with your little guys for Easter. Luke has an Easter outfit and obviously we'll take pictures of him in that, but is it mean to make him pose with some stuffed chicks and bunnies and carrots? (I found some reallllly cute ones.) Will he hate me forever?! More importantly, will my husband hate me forever?! lol

Fatty Food:

I recently started Somersizing (the Suzanne Somers "diet"). Weight Watchers was wonderful to help me get rid of my baby weight, but I have totally plateaued and I knew I needed to kick my metabolism back into high gear. I don't have the time to explain the system here right now, but suffice it so say that you can eat fat - and plenty of it. I have been so afraid of fats for such a long time that I think it is a bit of a shock to my system right now! I have been burping like a sailor! hahaha (That's the TMI part. ;)

Rummage Sale:

I went to a fab rummage sale on Saturday at one of the local high schools. I found some really fun items that I can't wait to show you THIS WEDNESDAY at the party! If you're new here, here's a link to what the party's all about! I hope some of you will join me - I love, love, love seeing what other people find for cheap!

See you Wednesday! :)

It's a brand-new party, and you're *ALL* invited!

So, here’s the deal.

I love to find a great deal on something, and then I love to talk about it (my poor husband! haha). Every girl loves to show off a bargain, right? But there have been so many times I’ve purchased something and found that there’s no blog party that fits the description for me to showcase it in. There’s plenty of craft parties, recipe parties, even yard-sale parties. There’s frugal parties, sure, but you can only show house finds or groceries.

There’s no one party to showcase anything you find on the cheap.

Enter….me! J

Next week, on March 31st,

I’m going to be hosting a weekly party called:

<a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net"><img src="http://i1031.photobucket.com/albums/y378/chxlittle/WorkYourWalletfinal.jpg" alt="" /></a>

(Don’t you love the alliteration?!

I’m a teacher and some habits just die hard. Or don’t die at all…)

I want each and every one of you to come!
(I’ll even let you bring a plus one and you don’t have to RSVP ;).

You can show ANYTHING you want,
as long as you’ve bought it for $50 or less.

(I’m operating on a tight budget these days and trying to make the most of our income, and I’m willing to bet that most of you are, too. I don’t know about the rest of you, but when people show off their “bargain” finds that were $500 and more, I get a little bit jealous. I’m striving for financial contentment, which is why there’s a limit on your purchase price).

Think of this party as a bunch of vitual girlfriends to show your great deals to!

Find a fabulous pair of earrings from Old Navy on clearance? Show it here.
Shop at CVS and get all of your household items for free? This is the place!
Find a bunch of cute stuff for your kids at Goodwill? Absolutely.
An adorable purse or set of note cards on clearance from Marshalls? You bet!

Do you get the idea?

Any purchase goes, as long as it was a bargain in some way

and cost you less than $50.

Groceries, TJ Maxx, yard sales, Walgreens, Craigslist, Goodwill – it is ALL OKAY!

I do want to add that this IS NOT a DIY party – purely thrifty purchases. If you buy something at a yard sale, great! If you paint it and replace the knobs, well, save it for another party or I will have to delete it (and that’s no fun!).

I know that lots of you are amazing bargain hunters and find some fabulous items on a weekly basis. I figured that by hosting the party on Wednesdays, it gives you all some time to jump on a great deal if it's applicable to you and your area of the country.

(Oh, and if you don’t have a blog but want to share,
you’ll be able to do that in the comments – or send me a picture and I’ll feature you!)

So will you join me?? Pretty, pretty please?

I promise there will be great food and lots of dancing.

Okay so I can’t really promise that, but I can GUARANTEE you the company will be nice!

Let me know if you think you’re in! And remember, MARCH 31ST - save the date! J