Operation $40K

I LOVE the concept of CSA farms - Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season! It's like going to the farmer's market every week but you don't have to decide what to purchase, the amazing variety is already there for you and it's all fresh, organic stuff! We have been doing this for a few years - and Sarah had a fun time going to the farm for our pickups, but this year, I am not going to spend the $60 a month to do it. We will still eat farm fresh yumminess as I had done a great job o...

This is a little Frugal Kit going to a special person... The tabbed dividers help keep those coupons organized if you are like me, and have them in a photo box, sorted alphabetically. I keep them by product name, not company and only stock up on the brands I know I buy...if there is a coupon I really like, I check out the CouponClippers.Com for a few extras (like all those juice coupons from my last post!) Also in there is a set of toothpaste squeezers. They work on hand lotion tubes, toothpaste and more...helping you get the last bit out! Add a set of acrylic birthday stamps -- hand made/stamped cards can really save you money instead of hitting the store for $3-4 a card. I have 18 brothers and sisters -- just add yearly cards for them and that is $65+ a year! Get an inkpad and some cardstock and you can EASILY save $60. OK, here is how you get a chance to win, you can do any or all: - Become a follower (or tell me already that you are) - Share it on facebook and then leave me a comme...

This week the big sales were on juice and cereal. We were already pretty stocked up on cereal but needed the juice! My juice goes twice as far as I cut it 50/50 with water for Sarah. I know I COULD buy "lite" juice, but they already cut it with water and then added fake sugars...eww! I get MORE juice for the same price my way and it is healthier for my little peanut. First step - go to Cheerios.com and sign up for their weekly email/coupon blast. You can get 2 coupons a week for $1 off of one box. (well, it's really ONE coupon that you print twice...) Add that to a few $.75 off one box and you are ready. Copps lets you do two transactions back to back, so I split my cart in "half" while shopping...take that load out to the car and hit the store again. This helps you maximize the buy $25 and then take 5 coupons (up to $1 value) and double them on their super saver Wednesdays. First transaction: 6 boxes cereal (I try to stay around $3 a box) , 1 package Keebler st...

Are you a good sale shopper and great at working the grocery store coupons? Still look at your pile of food and see the same old combinations coming to your brain when it is time to fix something for the family to eat? This is where a meal swap can help. Find a good group of gals -- keep it at 6 or less (just my suggestion). Figure out how often you want to meet and if you want to do a "theme" of the month like soups one month, noodle casseroles one month, appetizers, etc. Set general guidelines like a meal should be 4 servings or more, etc. Discuss food allergies. That way, no one is unhappy or surprised when they get their swap! For our swap last weekend, I made Pizza Casserole. This is easy to make, very flavorful and, most of my ingredients were free! Each dish needs: -8oz noodles (cooked off) -1 can/jar sauce -1/4 cup milk -1/2 pound ground beef (cooked off) -2 oz pepperoni, slices cut into quarters -1 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese -1 small can mushrooms Cook the noodles a...

Monday was Payday for the Tupperware monthly bonus checks. After paying summer fair booths, 1 mall cart for the weekend and putting some cash aside for the quarterly dinner for my recruiters...that leaves me $1,220 to put into the fund. Not too shabby. What else do I have in the works this month? I am selling the things that Sarah has outgrown: clothes, toys, etc. I had over 300 items at the local Just Between Friends sale! My friend Terri runs it, all I have to do is tag Sarah's outgrown items and deliver them. I pick up what's left and can check on the website at any time during the sale what has sold. Of the 310 pieces, I sold 114 of them! They keep 25% and I get the check in the first week of April. The other items? Not to worry...Half Pint Resale has their event in 3 weeks. I will simply retag the two totes of spring/summer items and sell them there, along with the pack n play and stroller. If there is anything left after that sale, I have my annual garage sale 3 weeks aft...