my frugal kids

A blog I read daily posted this the other day. It's a blog about how frugal her kids have become after daily example from their mom & dad. I bookmarked it so I could write here about it later. Well it's later now (confusing, eh? haha!).

We do the same type of things with our kids. If they grow up to only pay attention to the price I'll be happy! But it'll be so nice if they are much more into things than that.

Here's a list of things we do with our kids to help teach them -

• They help clip coupons sometimes, but mostly just help spot them (I'm picky on how they're cut).
  
• They look at the sale ads and coupons for the best deals on things we use.
  
• They don't even think to eat anything but generic brands, except they are tempted by the cereal sometimes. =)
  
• When they get birthday money from grandma we always look in thrift stores, yard sales, or ebay before going to a store.
  
• They keep their eyes open when we're out running errands just in case we can spot a curb side item to save.
• They only get new toys on birthdays and Christmas, unless it's super cheap and REALLY wanted (those are usually pre-owned too).
  
• They are the main recyclers and trash handlers, this helps with things thrown away.
• Our children have never had anything bought for them for more than $50 individually, although many things they have originally cost WAY more than that.
  
• We do NOT give allowances in our house. But everyone is rewarded as often as possible and when deserving.
  
• They pass clothes on to siblings and family. Sometimes they receive clothes as well (not very many are for #1 though).
• When clothes are past the "pass-it-down" stage, they help find new uses for them.
  
• We spend alot of time talking about not only our money mishaps but also other people's. This includes family, friends, tv, movies, musicians, and the government.

There are some ways that #4 helps with saving money in our house that are questionable. It involves toilet paper her private time in the bathroom. Let's just say we tell her to use as much as she wants and she don't listen!! HAHA!!

We have a system in our house that usually helps remind all the kids when they are slacking on their frugal-ness. It's the quarter system. Here's how it works - one of the kids leaves a light on and someone else sees it they holler "You owe Mom a quarter!" Even though none of them actually has quarters to give, it still gets the point acrossed quickly and effeciently.

I am proud to say that my kids are pretty good at being frugal. I know they still need alot of practice but when their older they should be pros at it!

I was happy to see others strive for the same things with their kids too. I'm normal in at least one way! =)

later.........

stuff

Well we went to the city wide garage sales, and the fireworks, then did some sparklers here at home. Oh and we grilled out.

I was VERY disappointed with #1 the newspaper here & #2 the city wide garage sales. The newspaper didn't mention ANYTHING AT ALL about any of the festivities. UGH! And the city wide garage sales consisted of a bunch of people setting out things with OUTRAGEOUS tags on them. Like for instance I seen a stained, ratty, old t-shirt that wasn't even a name brand for $2! Yeah definitely not my kind of sales.

We've been busy, busy!

• We keep having problems with the tub fixture we bought so we had to remove part of a wall -- which didn't help! So we hillbilly-rigged it till we can figure out something better.
• drywalled the top portion that wasn't finished of the kitchen
• painted the hallway (not finished yet)
• installed the bathroom sink faucet
• found out where our missing window goes to - behind the bathroom! there's a space there that is above the stairs
• fixed the toliet
• canned a new banana jam (8 jars)
  

What we still need to do -

• fix the bathroom wall
• paint the bathroom
• finish painting the hallway
• paint & finish mudding the kitchen
• put shut-off's in the basement for the downstairs water
• fix the downstairs kitchen floor (vinyl tiles)
• fix the upstairs bathroom floor (buy vinyl tiles)
• same ^^ with upstairs kitchen
• weatherize WHOLE house to get ready for winter
• HALLOWEEN PROJECTS!!
• can, can, and can some more!

I found out that all the jellies I did back in May wasn't done right so about $20 worth of supplies wasted! I was sooooo mad! Last time I'll listen to my mom when it comes to canning! Doing it by the book (so to speak) from now on.

I'm supposed to have some sort of a goal with how much I need to can, I'm only doing jellies, pickles, & tomatoes, but I haven't figured that out yet. These kids go through about 1 pint of jelly a week - that'll be alot of jars!

I've just been stocking up on things - just in case. Like I have taco & chili seasoning mixes made up and ready in jars. I have enough of that for about a year LOL! Well maybe not taco but definitely chili! We don't eat too much chili & I have LOTS!

oh and I have enough basil growing here to last an Italian restaurant for at least 2 nights! I've already preserved some in salt and this is just the second picking. I'll probably have alot more.

ok that's all for now,
later...

my laptop died

ok so my laptop's motherboard is DEAD. but i was able to save the hard drive and can use it for now, but....

and i get no new laptop either =(

oh well maybe someday!

we got our new faucets and are try to install them now. their real cool - gold!

also got another toy *hehehe!* -- a tattoo gun!! yeehaw! LOL! well i'll at least be able to finish out some of my half done stuff =)

And I've been planting like crazy! I've got about 40+ hot pepper plants, tomato plants, and herbs. But is that enough? NOPE! I just bought some peter pepper seeds on ebay. *hehehe!* They're so cute! I'm gonna pickle them whole. My grandma & mom will get a kick out of that. It's just with so many hot peppers (cause those are super hot!) I had to also get some sweet peppers to even out the heat some.

I'd still like to plant some cucumbers, zucchini, and pumpkins for Darkside. I just don't know if I have the space now! And I've done ran out of containers, even the ones I made out of bowls & stuff! But city wide garage sales are this weekend so I should be able to pick up some =)

Really need to go to bed early tonight so we can get out there early and catch all the good stuff =)

ok that's all for now.
later....