This is the first in a five-part guest post series by Kari Patterson. Kari is a pastor's wifey, ministry mommy, writer, runner, blogger, reader and frugal living enthusiast. She enjoys green tea, line-dried laundry and Alexander McCall Smith novels. Her musings can be found at karipatterson.com. ************************ Have you ever found yourself quickly flipping past the front page of the Sunday paper, eager to pull out the latest coupon insert and scope out the week’s hottest deals? I often forget that the Sunday newspaper is actually a vehicle for carrying news, not just the Albertson’s doubles or the golden nugget $10 off $50 from Safeway. Keep Reading
Frugal Living 101: Why coupon?
Blackberries : Free is a very good price
On Saturday, my husband and I packed up our little entourage and rode our bikes down to our favorite blackberry spot. The berries are just starting to get into gear, changing from green to black. We weren't too impressed with the last two years where the berries were small and hard to reach. This year is a good crop though. Huge, sweet blackberries are just dripping off the vines, begging to be picked. By this weekend, the bushes should be loaded. The best part? In the great Northwest, where blackberries grow like weeds, picking is absolutely free! Find a safe, easily accessible public place and go crazy. Blackberries definitely make you Keep Reading
Price Comparison for Canning Supplies
I know enough about canning to be dangerous. Thankfully, my mom & sister know enough to be productive. Together we make a great team, washing jars, stirring pots, and filling pints with jam and quarts with vegetables. We also do our fair share of laughing, sharing, and eating along the way. At the end of the day, we split up the finished jars, heading home with that happy exhaustion that comes from a productive day. This year I have peaches, pickles, and tomatoes still on my canning to-do list. Just the thought of row after row of jars filled with brightly colored fruits & vegetables gets me excited. Am I weird? Please tell me some of you Keep Reading
Pacific Northwest Back-to-School Deals
As promised, here's a list of back-to-school deals for stores in the Pacific Northwest. :: Fred Meyer deals from The Coupon Project :: Kmart deals from Steals & Deals :: Office Depot deals from Thrifty NW Mom :: OfficeMax deals from Because More is More :: Rite Aid deals from Coupon Connections NW :: ShopKo deals from Fistful of Coupons :: Staples deals from This Beautiful Frugal Life :: Target deals from Thrifty & Thriving :: Walgreens deals from Frugal Chic Living :: Walmart deals from Frugal Living NW :: Clothing deals from Centsible in Seattle I'm still waiting on a few stores. I will update this list as the posts come up. Leave Keep Reading
Our Favorite Things: The Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket
I am so excited to share the next installment of our favorite things for two reasons: 1. Love this life jacket. It's genius. Kids tend to strongly dislike vest life jackets as they are difficult to swim in and ride up while they are in the water. The Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket solves the problem. Kids have so much more mobility in this jacket. And it's Coast Guard approved, so it is a life saving device. Amazon has this life jacket in stock and ready to ship! 2. I created my first vlog! My husband and I spent a few hours researching, downloading, uploading, embedding, blah, blah, blah and viola! A video! It's not bad for a first Keep Reading
How to Save Money on Dairy
How to Save Money on Dairy Here are some easy ways to save big on milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, and eggs. This post is part of a series on How to Save Money on Real Food where we cover how to save money on meat, produce, grains, and dairy. Look for clearanced dairy items at your grocery store. Stores will mark the price down on dairy products as the "pull date" approaches. Learn how to make your own dairy products. It's easy to make your own dairy products, especially yogurt. Find an easy "how to make yogurt" tutorial here. If you find a bunch of clearanced heavy cream, make your own butter by hand or with a Kitchenaid mixer. Try Keep Reading
Going Green : Gardening Ideas
Going Green Gardening Ideas When it comes to gardening, I consider myself a motivated amateur. Although I grew up in a somewhat rural area and put in a large garden every summer with my dad, I am by no means an expert on the topic. Each year, my husband and I make new mistakes, learn new tricks, and experiment with new plants. It's a fun process, especially when you get to eat the results. I am convinced that there are few things as satisfying as growing and eating your own food. There's just something about tucking a tiny seed or small start into the soil and watching it grow into food you can set on the dinner table. Maybe I have led a sheltered Keep Reading