FCF Weekend Wrap-up: Yardsaling, 1/2 priced grill, cheap BBQ with friends, free Motocross, and more!

Happy Monday!

I had SUCH a fun, great, and productive weekend. I love the nice weather!!!!!

The weekend was fun, cheap, and free, but the icing on the cake was all the STUFF we were able to get done. Here's what we did this weekend on-the-cheap:

FRIDAY

Months ago we bought a big Utah "Pass of All Passes". It was on sale for $29 ea for me and my hubby, free for my kids. The price has since gone up to $79 ea, I'm glad we bought them when we did!

The passes are really cool because they give us unlimited season passes to two major water parks here, as well as tickets to games and events, and access to fun centers throughout Utah. Anyway, not that anyone really cares, but I'll be mentioning out "Pass of all Passes" throughout the Summer so I thought I'd get the explanation out of the way now :)

On Friday we attended a free Motocross event. It was our first time ever going, and it was a blast! We traded babysitting with a friend so we could leave our baby behind, and we just took Hutch. It was a fun "son" date, and he absolutely loved the dirt bikes!

 Unfortunately it was FREEZING. Of course. Luckily my toddler's hat fit me.

After the event we were FROZEN and starving, so we decided to get some food. I always keep a coupon notebook in my car. Whenever I get deals or coupons in the mail, I stick it in the notebook and always leave it in my car...for occasions just like this!

I told my husband I wanted to go to Denny's or Ihop; somewhere that's open late and has hot chocolate. I grabbed this Hometown Values thing that I always get in the mail and usually throw away (but decided to keep this time...) and...

Bingo!

 Instant savings without having to do ANYTHING.

My son thought it was pretty cool that he was at dinner with mommy and daddy at 10pm. Yes, we are bad parents :) Hey, it was a date, ok?!

...and, of course after about 5 seconds he dumped his entire cup of ice water down his pants so he had to strip down.

He loved the whipped cream from our hot chocolates!

It was a fun, cheap, AND free night! 

FREE babysitting

FREE motocross event (well, free after buying our passes, anyway...)
CHEAP dinner (used the $.99 entree coupon)
Lots of fun...
Can't beat that.

 SATURDAY

I decided to go yardsaling (is that even a word??)

I started writing up a tutorial on how I do my yard-saling, but it was taking forever...so check back on Wednesday for step-by-step guides and photos! Woo hoo!

8am on a Saturday is early, but hey...I have kids. That's every day for me!

This weekend was a bit of a bummer; I didn't get any of the big stuff that I was looking for, but here are some random things I came home with:

A huge box of balls for my kids, $1

Some new home decor items, $3 and $4. The funny thing? I have two more sets of these RE white shelves that I got on clearance at Target last year! So now we have 3 identical shelves, and now we have enough to add them to a big collage photo wall we're working on.

I got a bunch of new ribbon, $8 for a huge bag full. These are perfect for making hair bows for Priya.

I also got a new Buz Lighyear 2T costume (my son hasn't taken it off since...) some sheets for our guest room, two shirts for me, and a pink exersaucer (like the Amazon one below) in GREAT condition for $5! 

So while I got a few good things, I didn't get any of the big AMAZING finds I was hoping for. Oh well, next time. And yes, check back Wednesday for a great "yardsaling 101" guide!

SATURDAY cont'd...
We worked on our yard. We bought a short sale so the yard is an absolute DISASTER. We have gotten 6 bids on our yard, all would cost anywhere from $600 for the absolute basics (weeding and cleaning out our dead flower beds) to $7,000 (sod, leveling our slanted and crumbling back yard, etc.).

We have absolutely no spare cash right now because my husband took a pay cut at work so he can pay the bills. Hey, that's the life of an entrepreneur and business owner! So we decided to get to work ourselves. Yikes.

 I will do a big post on this very soon, but let's just say that my husband's back is S-O-R-E after all the raking and hauling he did this weekend. What a hard worker!

While he worked on the yard, I worked on this project in our piano room:

Oh my gosh it's so cool, so easy, and so cheap. Be excited, tutorial coming by the end of the week (once I finish the second frame). YAYY!!!

SATURDAY EVENING:
We had a BYOM(meat) BBQ with 3 other couples. It was great! Unfortunately it was still a bit chilly so the kids couldn't play in our kiddie pool like originally planned, but it was still a blast.

Everyone brought their own meat + 1 side. We provided drinks, plates/utensils/napkins, buns, condiments, some sides, etc.

I got this drink container from Costco this weekend for $17. Woo hoo! I bought one on clearance from Bed Bath and Beyond a year or two ago for $20, but it was broken when I brought it home so I had to return it. It's so nice to have a WORKING, large capacity drink dispenser now!

The bucket was a yard sale find from last summer.

The food was awesome...

 ...but the company was even better!

Saturday also happened to be mine and my husband's 5 year anniversary! (We are doing our official celebration next weekend, more on that soon.)

Woooah nelly, 5 years?! It seems like we've been married longer than that, I can't believe it's only been 5 years! My life has never been happier and more full than marrying him, he is amazing.

Anyway...

For our anniversary I "bought" him a grill (basically I told him he could pick one out and buy it himself, but that he could have one nonetheless!). Luckily I married a frugal guy. He did lots of shopping, and found a brand new, still in the box, really nice grill from the Sears Outlet for over 50% off the original price! I was so proud of him :)

It has cool infrared technology that supposedly helps cook things faster and more evenly. Yadda yadda yadda, he's excited about it, so I'm excited about it!

The bummer is that he had to assemble it himself (which took a few hours) but it worked great, and he's excited to have it...so I'M excited to have it. Great shopping, babe!

SUNDAY
We went to church, did a few things around the house, then went to a friend's house for dinner. They made us steak, it was to. die. for. I wish I had taken a picture, but they had a HUGE bouncy house set up that they had bought (still new in the box) from the classifieds. The kids went nuts, it was a riot. I need me one of those!

And that was our weekend. Lots of friends, lots of food, and some good ol' fashioned fun.
How was YOUR weekend?

Be sure to sign up for my Frugality Boot Camp before May 1 and get a discount!

Reminder to be sure to sign up for our first annual Frugality Boot Camp! Come spend an entire day with me and other guest speakers learning everything you could possibly need/want to know about saving your family money. It's going to be a TON of fun!

We're keeping it intimate this year and spots are very limited so you'd better hurry, they are filling up quick.

Be sure to sign up before May 1 and you sign up for the discounted price of $199! (click HERE to register)

And the good news?

If you don't save at LEAST $200 (your registration fee) in your first month from all the things you learn at this retreat, I'll refund your money - so you have nothing to lose.

In terms of choosing valuable things to spend your money on, this one is definitely recommended by me. Sure, I might be biased, but really, it's about more than getting people to simply sign up for my retreat. Frugality is all about a lifestyle choice and an overall balance in your life. There are times where "investing" in something that will give you far greater reward over time is worth it!

It's like hiring someone to do your taxes rather than doing them yourself. Sure, it costs money. But if you can save more in the long run by having someone do it for you correctly the first time, it ends up saving your family money in the end. See how that works?

Anyway, come have fun, and I promise...it'll be worth it!

$0.75 milk coupon, + super cheap shoes! Tips from readers

Got two great tips that I had to pass along. Thanks for sharing, readers!

I know you aren't a coupon-er, (neither am I) but I found a great coupon I couldn't pass up, because of the ridiculous amount of milk my family consumes. Thought I would share in case you're interested, .75 off per gallon any brand, and walmart will double it up to a dollar on their double coupon days, it is on coupon.com. Can't beat an entire dollar off a gallon of milk! :) - Rachael

I know you like great deals, so here's an awesome website for SHOES :) www.amiclubwear.com, they add new shoes to their clearance every day for 50-80% off!! Killer deal, right? Well then you can get 25-40% ADDITIONAL off!! I just got four pairs of wedges for only $48 after taxes AND shipping. (no I'm not marketing either this is a legitimate referral lol) - Samantha

Generic/store brands VS store brands. Taste better? Healthier? Worth the savings or extra cost? My opinion on the matter.

Generic VS Name Brand

source

I started answering readers' questions in this post. But this one question in particular started getting so long, I had to move it to its own post! :) I get asked this question a lot and figured it was time to answer, officially, once and for all! Now, please just remember, we are all entitled to our own opinions. The #1 most important thing is to DO YOUR RESEARCH before deciding what is best for you and your family! That being said, here's MY personal opinion on the whole thing, based on the research that I've done:

"I notice you recommend buying off-brands. Do you compare ingredients in off-brand products to name brand? I have found that off-brand products contain more sodium, preservatives, fillers and other unhealthy ingredients. It is worth it to me to spend a little extra for a higher quality product. You get what you pay for... -Rachel"

Great question, Rachel!

• Are organic, all-natural, name-brand products worth the cost?
• Where can I find balance in wanting to cook healthy for my family, but keeping shopping costs down?
• Off-brand foods are way less unhealthy for you, so why would you buy them?
• Is it better to save the money, or keep my family healthy?
• Are you really getting a better product by paying more? Are you getting less product by paying less?

I hear you! So many questions.
  Here's my best take on this whole situation...

Yes, I do compare ingredients sometimes. Not with everything, but I try to when I can. I guess it depends on how strict you are health-wise. In my mind, it's worth saving the money because the differences in the food - if any - are so minimal. 

For example:

We needed Jam (and go through it pretty quickly) so I had my husband grab "the healthiest kind you can find" at Costco. He bought an organic, real-fruit jam that was quality, and expensive. When we ran out of that jam I went to Costco to buy another jar. I noticed that there were two different kinds that caught my eye. One was the more expensive organic kind that we bought before, the other was a cheaper, non-organic, bigger jar...so I assumed it to be less healthy for those reasons. 

The non-organic jam

My frugal self couldn't let go paying more for the "healthy" organic jam until I investigated further, so I compared the labels. 

I was S-H-O-C-K-E-D to discover that the non-organic, cheaper jam had: 

• Less carbs
• Less sugar
• More real fruit in the ingredients
• Less carbs
• and 0% fat.

The organic jam didn't even come close - it was a complete wash. And frankly, the cheaper, non-organic stuff tasted better! I slapped myself on the wrist and told myself I'd never be fooled again. 

Moral of the story?

You just have to do your research! 

Read the labels. Shop around. Ask around. Take two seconds and make a decision based on education, NOT on emotion or convenience.

This is the same with other store-brand things, such as over the counter meds. I'm pretty sure the FDA wouldn't let the Walmart brand Tylenol put anything in it that the name brand Tylenol doesn't, or NOT put anything important in that Tylenol does. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing they have to follow basically the same rules.

Name brands become BRANDS because they put hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars into advertising, market research, and expert endorsements to create a "brand". Store brands don't have that cost, and can simply keep their prices down!

You also have to remember, right now "green" and "organic" are trends. Often times "organic" "all-natural" "full of anti-oxidants" is just a marketing ploy. Do you know that 7-up now claims it has anti-oxidants?? Just because it says it's healthy, doesn't mean it is.
Likewise, just because something DOESN'T say it's healthy, doesn't mean it's a worse choice. And furthermore, just because something is CHEAPER doesn't make it a poorer quality product.

Yes, be health-conscious and mindful of what your family is eating.
Yes, cook home-made, healthy meals using as many fresh ingredients as possible.
Yes, live a balanced life where you are mindful of what you are eating, how much exercise you are getting, and the values you are teaching your family.
BUT...
Remember that balance is key.
Are your family members going to die an early death if you don't feed them organic celery, canned beans, or jam? No, probably not. But does that mean you should blindly buy the cheapest of everything just to save a buck? No, I don't recommend that all the time.

DO.

 YOUR.

 RESEARCH.

Read labels, and offer a little give and take. 
You might pay "a lot" for a bag of flax seed that you'd rather have the money go toward something fun, but to add it to your meals will help keep your family healthy and full. But to pay double the price for a jar of jam because it calls itself organic?
Now, that's not doing yourself - or your family - any good.

-FACTS-

Let's cut to the facts. Check out this interesting study:

In blind tests, our trained tasters compared a big national brand with a store brand in 29 food categories. Store and national brands tasted about equally good 19 times. Four times, the store brand won; six times, the national brand won.

What’s more, the store-brand foods we tested cost an average of 27 percent less than big-name counterparts—about what you’d find across all product categories, industry experts told us. The biggest difference: 35 cents per ounce for Costco’s vanilla vs. $3.34 for McCormick’s. (Prices are the averages we found across the country.) Price gaps have less to do with what goes into the package than with the research, development, and marketing costs that help build a household name.

As a result of that extra spending, national brands are more likely to have the latest in convenient packaging, and foods may have the newest tastes or be fortified with trendy supplements, says Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst for the NPD Group, a leading market research company. That’s the nationals’ main advantage.

Read more: http://moneyland.time.com/2009/09/02/the-store-brand-taste-test-challenge-theyre-as-good-as-big-name-brands/#ixzz1tFzOMOKR


I found this information HERE:

Identification

Generic brands, also called store brands, offer consumers a less expensive alternative to national brand foodstuffs. Packaged foods such as cereal, convenience foods, canned goods and frozen fruits and vegetables are often available in generic brands. Store brands have a cheaper overhead because they aren't nationally advertised, explains the Clemson Cooperative Extension, adding that although the packaging is different, nutritional variances are usually minimal.

Significance

Consumer Reports compared name brand and generic brand foods and found the nutritional quality between comparable products to be similar. In fact, generic foods often have the same ingredients as name-brand products, according to the Oregon State Extension Service. Exceptions are what Consumer Reports refers to as second-tier store brands, which cost less than typical store brands but may fall short in taste and nutritional quality.

Factors

Store brand foods may be manufactured and packaged by nationally known brands, according to Consumer Reports, although this is not always the case. In some instances, products are identical. However, generic foods that come from national brand companies may have different recipes, tastes and nutrients than their name-brand counterparts, depending on the client's specifications.

The Facts

An effective way to compare vitamin content in generic and name brands is to read the labels. The American Dietetic Association recommends you compare products using the percent daily value for nutrients listed on the label. If the nutritional content of store brands and national brands for products you buy are similar, it may come down to taste. You can sometimes try off-brands risk free if you ask the store manager about store brand incentives.

Considerations

The Private Label Manufacturers Association reports that consumers save 30 percent on their grocery bill, on average, when purchasing store-brand food products. More than 90 percent of surveyed grocery shoppers rate store brand quality as "good" or "excellent," with 40 percent reporting that they purchase store brands at least once a week, according to the Food Marketing Institute.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/305078-does-generic-food-have-the-same-healthy-vitamins-for-you/#ixzz1tFvxg3Bl

Generic and Store Brands vs. Brand Names

By

CBSNews

Painkillers, Tylenol, Advil (AP)

The security of buying a name brand product may cost you a little extra, but is it worth it when the generic or store brand version of the same item is sitting right there on the store or supermarket shelf?

Lifestyle expert Robyn Moreno, author of "Practically Posh," said on "The Early Show on Saturday Morning" that -- it depends on the product.

Pain Relievers

When it comes to pain relievers,if there's a generic version available, go for it.

To be certified a "generic" by the Food and Drug Administration, a pain reliever hasto have the same "active ingredient" as its brand name equivalent. For instance, the "active ingredient" in Advil is ibuprofen. The generic also has to have an efficacy rate similar to that of a name brand, usually within a 20 percent range.

Name brands cost more because those companies spend money on research and development, as well as advertising, and generics ride their coattails, so to speak.

All this means if you have a headache and want ibuprofen, you can get a store brand, such as Equate from Wal-Mart, at a cheaper price than Advil, and they'll work essentially the same.

The main difference between the two is that store/brands can contain additives, like caffeine, which will have side effects. And generics might be absorbed differently in the body (gel caps compared to pills, for instance), which affects efficacy. So, check with your doctor and try out the more affordable versions for yourself to see if they work for you.

To find out if there's a generic version of a drug you take, check here.

Fashion

When it comes to "trend-of-the-moment" items you'll only wear one season, there is NO point is spending hundreds of dollars. For instance, cargo pants are always popular for summer. Intermix stores have some great ones for $255, but you can save money on less expensive cargo pants from TJ Maxx for only $55. The styles are similar, but the savings are huge.

For classic fashion pieces you'll wear year-after-year, invest in quality items like leather wallets and shoes, and cashmere sweaters. They can be paired with less expensive clothing, but give a more chic look. The quality stands out with these items, because the leather is often hand-made, as opposed to a factory-produced, and will last for many years, saving money in the long-run.

Makeup

There are specific items you can buy at the drugstore that are just as good as prestige brands at the department store. Items such as Maybelline the Colossal Volumn Express Mascara work just as well as a high-end one. With higher-end brands, you pay for the name. Makeup artists consistently call out Maybelline as their favorite mascara.

But splurge on higher-end department store foundation, such as Laura Mercier, which has more pigment, and comes in more varieties for skin type (oily/dry) and skin tone. Plus, it's not as irritating to the skin as some less expensive drugstore cheaper brands. Another benefit of buying high-end foundation is that you can try it at a department store to get right shade, as opposed to a drug store, where you can't. You can save money there alone in time and frustration.

Toiletries

When it comes to hand soaps, the cost of name brands, such as Soft Soap for $2.49, isn't much more than their store name counterparts, such as Walgreens liquid hand soap for $1.99. Plus, the packaging is more attractive, which is better for aesthetic purposes.

For toilet paper, some store brands aren't much cheaper than name brands, so why not go higher-end for them? Brand names are better quality and more absorbent.

Manicure kits are ideal to keep in the bathroom for the whole family. The Kiss brand version is great for men and women for $9.99, while the Walgreens store brand, Studio 35, is $10.79. So the brand name is cheaper here. So, when it comes to toiletries, go for quality, since the savings aren't too huge.

Gasoline.

The price difference between the gasoline at the name-brand stations, such as Exxon/Mobil, and "off-brand" stations can be about 20 cents a gallon. That amounts to $14 a month for the average driver, and that adds up to more than $170 per year.

Studies have shown, in essence, that "gas is gas" -- that the gas at the two types of stations is essentially the same.

Moreover a recent report showed that off-brand stations often receive their delivery from the same tank trucks that deliver to the name-brand stations, and even name-brand stations can receive gasoline from a different name-brand refinery!

Some people are brand-loyal because they might have credit cards with a name brand store, but if you want cheaper gas, go off brand.

So you see, it's all bout doing your research and not being fooled by brands. Just do what is best for your family, but remember that BALANCE is the key to everything!

Comments, Tips, and Q&A from readers: How to price-match store brands, and are off-brand foods less healthy?

Lots of great comments, emails, and tips this week. I love my readers! If you have something to share, email me at funcheaporfree (at) gmail.com or leave a comment.

And YOU might just be featured too :)

Dream come true, eh?

Enjoy!

On my "spare second cleaning jar" post:

I just found your website a couple days ago and I am absolutely loving it!! I also have 2 young kids and am trying to learn how to balance everything, most especially keeping up with the house. I loved this idea so I went ahead and made one that fit my house and I have already started working on it. Thanks so much for the time and effort you have put in to this site, I am looking forward to reading more of your posts!! - Ashley

On my "thrift shopping tips and tricks" post:

Ah my closet is about 90% thrifted! Its kind of addicting.. My friend returned 2 pair of Gap cargo shorts, got $60 odd dollars back, i took him to a local salvation army on their half price the entire store day (yeah you read that right.. 1/2 price on everything every wednesday!) and he ended up with SEVEN outfits! AND had $10 leftover, but that snot even the best part, prior to that experience he turned his nose up at thrift stores, but now every time he is home from college he wants to go look. P.s, im 19 and i watch Nate and read your blog every day!  - Katie

On my "F/C/F Halloween costume ideas" post:

These are awesome!!! Also, cheap plastic tablecloths are amazing. One year I cut them into circles, and glued white 'M' on the front, then took dark brown ones and made a 'dress'. My kids were M&Ms and my husband and I were the bags. Another year, I took assorted color plastic tablecloths and wrote 'crayola' on the front in black marker. We were all crayons.  - Whitney

On my "Favorite things: travel high chair" post:

This is awesome, I just love your site!!! - Brandy

On my "great price-matching deals" post:

I love your site! Thanks for all the great tips! I was also wondering about price matching on all the Wal-Mart brand stuff you got What's the policy on that and why wouldn't you purchase the same brand advertised that you were matching to? Just trying to learn all the ins and outs to best save money on our increasingly tight food budget. Thanks again! - Rachel

That is a GREAT question!

I wondered about that too. Walmart's policy says "Items purchased must be identical to the ad (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc.)". Their policy doesn't specifically mention store-brand to store-brand, it just says "brand". However, it never hurts to ASK ASK ASK! 

I've asked multiple checkers (because the only way I shop is to price-match at Walmart so I've done it A LOT) and so far all of them have said that they price-match store brand to store brand. So if one store has WF (Western Family) canned veggies for $0.50, that would match over to Walmart's GV (Great Value) canned veggies - as long as the cans are the same size. 

Remember THIS shopping trip? Here's the clip from that post:

"NOTE:

With the french bread, there was no brand. She almost didn't let me match it with the Walmart brand of french bread, but I smiled and said please, so she let me.

With the milk, sour cream, and spaghetti sauce, on deals to meals it said "WF" which I believe is Western Family brand. I mentioned this to the lady at the register because she said the brands need to match up. Here's our conversation went:

Me: "With these it says WF. I assume that to mean Western Family. Does that still work with Great Value?"

Cashier: "Yup, that's us, so Great Value is fine to match."

I don't know if that's actually true, but she said it and I didn't question her!"
So I think what she meant by "Yup, that is us" is that store-brand to store-brand is considered the same. This has been the case with 100% of the other checkers I've had. So my advice is, give it a shot! It really depends on the checkers sometimes.

On the same post Rachel also posted this question:

I notice you recommend buying off-brands. Do you compare ingredients in off-brand products to name brand? I have found that off-brand products contain more sodium, preservatives, fillers and other unhealthy ingredients. It is worth it to me to spend a little extra for a higher quality product. You get what you pay for... -Rachel

Another GREAT question!

**I started answering this and it got so long, I've decided to answer this question in a completely separate post. Click HERE to read.

An email from a reader friend referring to my "microwave egg cooker" post:

I make “mini” omelets by spraying pam in a bowl, beating 2 or three eggs in it, adding some cheese and leftovers (Chinese food is a favorite” and microwaving for 2 ½ to 3 minutes.  Slides out of the bowl onto a plate and looks good too. - Gary B

And my favorite email from this week? This one from a FCF reader friend, Becky:

You have inspired me lately.  Thought I would send along a few photos.  Perhaps you have done this already.  If not, you'll surely be proud of me!

I went to Costco the other day.  It is my habit to always get a chicken which I bring home and immediately de-bone and throw in the fridge.  I am also in the habit of eating an apple every day.  So, you can imagine: nearly every trip I am throwing the chicken container and apple container in the recycle bin.  

Not this time!  I used a box cutter to cut out the vent holes on the top of the chicken container.  

I then flipped it over placing it in the black tray that the chicken sits in.

 I filled up the clear top with potting soiled and threw in some seeds.  The black bottom tray is now used to catch extra water.  I used a chopstick from some old take-out and simply adhered the seed packet to the chopstick (in my case, I used sticky dots from my scrapbook supplies) and stuck it in the dirt!  

Now for the apple container.  I simply filled each round "cup" that held the apples with dirt, filled with seed and closed the top.  Voila: instant little tiny greenhouse!  

I'll attach some photos just in case you would like to share!

Thanks a million!

Bex

 Clever, eh??

Thanks becky and readers! Keep the comments and emails coming. TGIF!

Thrifting successes!

Yesterday I posted a video, and a bunch of tips for thrift shopping success. What can I say...it inspired me! I hit Deseret Industries (D.I) which is an AWESOME thrift store. My goal was to find some new toys, books, and kid shoes. Here are some great deals I got today:

• I, of course, hit the book section first. Remember? Libraries and thrift stores (and yard sales) are the ONLY places I buy my kid books! They are always in amazing condition, no need to pay full-price. Ever.

• I got an Elmo "busy book" for church (every component is soft so I'm just going to toss it in the wash on a hand-wash cycle. If it dies, I've only lost $0.50.)

• I found these cute wooden letters with that make up my son's initials. Someday craft project for his room.
• I got an adorable tote for the pool, and a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW backpack! I opened it up, has never been used before. Boo ya. The red bag was $1, the backpack was $2. Backpacks are perfect for a day at the zoo or pool, somewhere where you need lots of stuff and don't want to carry around a massive diaper bag (and need all your appendages to be free...). I also got a Carter's diaper bag for $1. It's a little dirty on the bottom so I'm going to throw it in the wash. It was cut out of the picture, oops.

• I got this awesome doll house with a few accessories still inside for $3. I took a bunch of lysol disinfecting wipes to this baby, it's sparkling like new. (In fact, I take lysol wipes to EVERYTHING - even the books, page by page. The idea of someone else's goobers creep me out, so I use about 50 wipes on everything. So worth it.) 

• I got these awesome kid shoes. Let me tell you, toddler boy shoes are HARD to find in good shape used. Boys are just hard on their clothes! But I managed to find two pair for my son - some athletic shoes, and some new-looking leather church shoes. $4 each...which, I feel like I can buy shoes NEW for $4, but I figured it's a good enough deal not to pass them up.

• The girl shoes, however...I made out like a bandit! I got some pink suede Baby Gap boots, brand new (tag still inside) target tan baby boots with faux fur inside, some real leather floral boots, and some cute sparkly church shoes for Priya. All $4 each.

My most exciting find of the day: This beauty!

Most of the big toys were marked at $15-$40, which I felt like was waaaay too high. But tucked in the back behind all the weird stuff like yard equipment that you don't even know what it's for, was this awesome kitchen. It didn't have a tag on it, so they gave it to me for $12. Bingo.

My son loves it! ...and I'm sure Priya will to once she's old enough.

I even see play food and utensils at the dollar store, so I'm going to stock up next time I'm there.

It was a good day, and gave me garage sale fever! I can't wait for this Saturday, I'm on the hunt for kid's clothes and am ready to shop.

And remember...thrift store baskets are a fun gift idea! Check out my gift to a friend HERE, and check out the LOT of loot I gave my son for his 1st bday HERE.

Happy shopping...

Thrift Store shopping tips and tricks

source

Did you know that Spring is the best time of year for thrift store shopping? It's true! With everyone in "Spring Cleaning" mode, the thrift stores are packed to the brim with great finds.

I saw an old video clip from the Nate Berkus show today that really inspired me, so I thought I'd share it in hopes that it inspires YOU too. Remember, hit those garage sales and thrift stores...you'll be shocked at what you find!

(Click HERE to watch the video online)

   

 Here are a few tips to keep in mind with thrift shopping:

• Have a plan. Make a list! If you need frames for a gallery wall in your entry way, look for frames. If your kids need shoes, go for shoes. If you could use a new dress, look for dresses. It will help you keep focused, avoid buying things you don't need, and will help you not to get overwhelmed.

• Keep trying. You might not find exactly what you need the first time around. The beauty of thrift stores and garage sales? Inventory is forever changing! Stores are completely different from one day to the next, so keep at it.

• If you don't need it, don't buy it. Even if it's only $1, if you have no place for it, it's a wasted dollar. Stick with your plan, and don't be tempted by the sticker!

• Just because it's used doesn't always make it a good price. Learn your prices! I keep a price notebook handy at all times. When I learn what a good price is for something, I write it down in my notebook. This works especially well for groceries. That way you really learn what things cost, and know a good price when you see it. I don't often buy baby clothes from thrift stores. Why? Because a baby dress can be $4, but I often times get them for as low as $0.99 brand new on clearance. If it's not a good deal, don't buy it.

• Shop in the spring. Thrift stores are cram-packed in the spring due to spring cleaning, and garage sales start as soon as the weather perks up. Take advantage of this good time of year!

• Out with the old. As you buy "new-to-you" items, get rid of items that you no longer need or use. No need to live in clutter!

• Use the buddy system. Find someone who is savvy with thrift shopping or garage sales and go with them one or two times. It helps to learn their tricks, and sometimes a second set of eyes is helpful to help you spot the best deals.

• Look for potential. Sure, that faded old side table is ugly as-is. But with some new hardware and new paint? Bomb. Don't get caught up in minute details. Look at the "bones" of the item, including clothes. Could it look better when ironed? With new buttons sewn on? Freshly washed? New laces added? Whatever it is, look for potential.

See more of my good thrifty finds and tips here:

http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/05/replay-thursday-savings-tip-replay_19.html

http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/05/fcf-weekend-wrap-up_23.html

http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/06/fcf-weekend-wrap-up-what-week-garage.html

http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/04/replay-thursday-savings-tip-replay-sell.html

http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/05/fcf-weekend-wrap-up_16.html

http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/05/friend-feature-friday-tips-for-saving.html

Just for fun...

This has nothing to do with anything, but I die laughing every time I watch it, so I thought I'd bring a little joy to your day. Enjoy!
(Click HERE to watch on Youtube)

Background story: I was blogging and she was finishing up breakfast. I saw her making this face in my computer screen reflection and thought she was choking! I soon realized she was just practicing closing her eyes. She is a ham and keeps me entertained 110% of the time. Funny baby!

Well, I guess while I'm at it, here's an oldie - but goodie for ya. Enjoy :) 

Click HERE to watch on Youtube

Foodie Tuesday Recipe: Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Sweet Rice

Happy Tuesday!

Today I have an amazing recipe to share with you. Anyone who has ever lived in or visited Utah probably knows about Cafe Rio. It's legendary here! They have THE BEST pulled pork salads and burritos, and of course, the most amazing sweet rice.

Ever.

Well, my friends, today I'm cracking their secret!

My friend Bethany gave me this recipe. I've made it several times, it's delish. Enjoy!

source

Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Sweet Rice

(for a printable version click HERE)

Ingredients:
½ Onion, chopped
2 Cloves minced garlic
1 Tablespoon butter
4C water
3C uncooked white rice
4 teaspoons chicken bouillon
1/2C chopped cilantro
1 Can diced green chilies
¾ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lime zest
2 Tablespoons lime juice
2 Tablespoons sugar

Directions:
Saute onion and garlic in butter until onion is soft. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. 

Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and enjoy!

It's seriously so easy and sooo good. I made some of my cilantro lime chicken, cooked it up with red onion, corn I had leftover from dinner the night before, and bell peppers (that I chopped up and froze when they were on sale), and made some delicious fajita burrio thingies. MMMMMMmmmmmmm!

 The pictures really don't do it justice.
Bon Appetite!