What a Bargain!

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home to pick a few items I need to take in for my work's pot luck dinner on Friday. I recently changed jobs (last Monday in fact) and was pretty much last on the list to sign up. So bring on the turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, haha

In my quest to buy several quarts of gravy, I realized I needed a way to heat and transport the gravy.  I have a really nice 5 quart crock pot, but no way was I hauling it to work.  Kroger (my local grocery store) had a 2.5 quart crockpot with an in-store sale sign of $14.88. I thought that was a pretty good deal. Except it wasn't --initially.

When I finished checking out the crockpot was listed as $19.99 on my receipt. Well that wasn't what the sign advertised! So off to the service desk I went to find out what happened. It turns out their sign was wrong, it was supposed  to be on sale for $19.99.  Except they honored the sale price based on the ScanRight guarantee.  I didn't  pay $19.99 plus tax...Nope...I didn't pay $14.88 plus tax...Nope.  I paid a whopping total of  $5.44-- which is the difference between the wrong sale price and right sale price (with tax). What. A. Bargain!!   And not to mention excellent customer service!!

So now I have a groovy new crockpot on the cheap and no one will suffer the agony of no gravy with their mashed potatoes at the pot luck Friday. And if they intentionally go without gravy, they were just cut from my list of potential friends. Because it's gravy...say it with me...GRAAVVYY!  Whoa...groovy gravy..is that even a thing? Is that even a legal thing?  I must have been breathing a few too many turkey gravy fumes. haha

WHat groovy bargains have you found recently?

Happy Friday Y'all

Oh, indeed, it is a happy Friday. I finished my semester yesterday and I am on break for 18 glorious days. EIGHTEEN GLORIOUS DAYS!!  Which means lots of projects. Or a lot of time spent thinking about projects. Which leads to a lot of time googling said project ideas and pinning them on pinterest. And the next thing you know the 18 days have passed, I have a dozen unfinished projects, plaster in my hair, paint on my ass, several lacerations, a black eye and have eaten my feelings in my weight equivalent of pasta, chicken fried rice and oreos. So to save us all time, disappointment, pain, a potential trip to the urgent care, and me gaining anymore weight,  I won't promise any projects. So IF I do something it will be a surprise--to all of us, haha.

True Story

Although I do have a  frugal find to share. 

I made a quick trip to Kohl's. I have been scouting a coverlet for my couch because my dogs are not well trained enough to stay off of the furniture. I really didn't want the hassle of a slipcover and sheet was too flimsy looking for my liking. Surprise! I scored an awesome deal on a twin sized coverlet (too bad it wasn't a full size).

Normal price $99.99, on clearance (80% discount) for $19.99, minus a 30% coupon (yay!) and $10 in Kohls cash results in my out of pocket cost (before taxes) $3.99. YAHOO!  I was concerned it may not cover the couch correctly but as you can see it fits nicely and is dog approved.

And   in other news...
I have lots-o- little seedlings in the fantastic plastic greenhouse. Well it WAS fantastic until the hubbs wrecked it with the weed whacker. Now it is rather rednecktified with tape along the bottom...siiiggghhh.

The hubbs is on a stay-cation this week and you know what that means! A honey-do list! Which I so thoughtfully printed off and taped to the door of his man cave. You're welcome, hehe

The big garden bed has been roto-tolled again and hopefully plants go in by Mother's Day. The 5 raised beds have been cleaned up. I have asparagus coming up (yay!). Strawberries are going gangbusters--lots of blooms and even a few tiny berries-- except I need to put netting over them to keep the birds away from them. My thyme and sage came back on their own but all the other herbs will need replaced including my HUGE 3 yr old rosemary bush. Totally my fault because I didn't dig it up and put it by the garage mulched with straw. Kinda bummed about that...

Now for much needed advice...I need to prune my grapevine which I have not done. Any of my readers have experience with this? When is the best time? How much do I cut? And how can I do cuttings to harvest the vine for crafts?

My class schedule for summer is only 3 classes until end of June then I will pick up a 4th class until the summer semester ends in August. Only 2 more semesters to go until I can graduate and embark on my new career. Hopefully I can get back in the groove and post more than 1x per week..

I do thank all of my readers for hanging in there with me. It has been difficult to to do any house projects with the demands of school. Not to mention money has been so tight. Yes it should give rise to more creative solutions (and has) but I have been very overwhelmed  with the demands from my classes.

Well that is all for now. Get out there and enjoy the sunshine wherever you are!

Funky and Frugal Finds #14

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds #14

Nothing funky, but definitely frugal!!

"Let's go Krogering" paid off in a big way for me--all because my neighbor called to give me the heads up on this AMAZING deal. Iced tea makers and Blenders were marked down to $2.48 each. Yes-- you read that correctly. TWO DOLLARS AND FORTY EIGHT CENTS each.  They were marked down from $24.98. That is a 99.3% savings...Yowza!!

So I picked up some for a few people and kept one of each for myself. The trunk of my car looked like some things "fell off the back of a truck" haha

So everybody's getting blenders for Xmas, haha--just kidding!

Next stop was the New2You thrift store, where I found this adorable, pint-sized folding chair for my niece Lele. The  price was $2.97 and there was a 25% store wide sale, so final price before taxes was $2.23.

 I am going to paint it and re-upholster the seat with a super cute print. 

How about  Rustoleum apple  green paint...

and  this fabric from Joann's?

http://www.joann.com/novelty-cotton-fabric-butterfly-glitter-pink/xprd581926/

Lele loves butterflies and I think she will love it!

My beautiful niece Lele

So what cool , funky or frugal items have you found and whatcha gonna do with them?

Funky and Frugal Finds #12

Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #12

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds Monday! My daughter and I perused Goodwill on Sunday. The best part it was 50% off everything!  it was some slim pickin's  I didn't buy much but I am pleased with what I found! 

The awesome metal plant stand (?) came in at $4.00. I am gonna clean it up, paint it and I promised it to my daughter. Darn it!! She has the perfect location for this-- under the  entryway coat rack to corral some of her shoes- mostly her kazillion pairs Chuck Taylor's!

I loved this sweet little handmade picket fence box! This will find a home on my  vanity table. Rather charming for $1.50

This is my all time favorite!! A vintage step-"stool". It looks a tad worn but nothing a bit of elbow grease and some paint can't spiffy up! Not to mention I am a Shorty McShort-Short and can definitely make good use of it! Not bad for $5, eh?

Funky and Frugal Finds #11

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds #11 Monday

I thought this would make a great change collection jar

St. Vincent DePaul, $0.50

I have always wanted one of the Pyrex wicker casserole pan caddies. It has a cork bottom to protect the surface from heat and nice handles. 

St. Vincent de Paul $2

Another monkey pod bowl/ tray. I swear this will be my last one. Maybe...

St. VIncent de Paul $1.50

I am digging this copper bowl/ pan. How cute would this look with pebbles or glass marbles and a candle?

St. VIncent de Paul $3

 I love this little mirrored shelf. Gonna paint it white and once the mirror is all shiny I think it will be really cute! Maybe a little applique at the top? Or some decoupage? Or keep it plain? Hmmm, not sure.

New2You thrift store, 50% off for a grand total of  $1.50

 Not a bad haul for less than $10.00! Woot!

Funky and Frugal Finds #10

Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #10

Me and  my daughter hit the GW in Loveland on Sunday. It was crowded and boy oh boy was everything picked over. I wasn't sure we would find anything worthwhile. But I did manage to find a few things...

Is it bigger than a breadbox? No-because it is a breadbox!  Can't you just picture this all cleaned up, painted and maybe stenciled. I have lots of ideals for this !

$5

This funky monkey pod bowl

$3 

A cute little metal bucket. This will be great as a planter!

$1

And this sweet little enameled metal tray. This will look adorable in my spare room!

$1

Anyone else have some funky or frugal finds you want to share?

Funky and Frugal Finds #8

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #8

I don't  have much to show because I haven't really been thrifting the last 2 weeks. Between family issues, babysitting my niece, and working on the hubb's bff's mobile home--I haven't had time for anything!

I did acquire this little gem of  artwork. A signed oil painting (maybe a hobby artist since I couldn't find any information)   I love it because the colors perfectly  match the other oil canvas I have. It is also the same theme (i.e, landscapes)

Goodwill for $6

A friend had given me a gift card to Pier 1, which I promptly used for this funky grandmother clock! It is 5 feet tall but only protrudes from the wall 2.5 inches. You actually hang it like artwork. I love it!

Sunday I was on my way to my sister's for Easter and my nieces birthday party when I spied some curbside gems. Since I have a little car I could only grab this over-sized  crock. I really need a truck just for me because there were some awesome things in that garbage pile! The bottom of the crock had come off but was with the crock when I picked it from the curb. it has been well loved. No cracks, chips or fractures. I am pretty sure I can re-attach the bottom since it was a clean cleave. But I won't do anything until I talk to someone since I don't want to ruin the value! It doesn't get better than free!

Star Stoneware, Crooksville, Ohio circa 1892-1945

As I have mentioned a few times, I am re-doing my hubbs bff's mobile home. I had originally envisioned a cool mid-century vibe going on but I had to go where the meager budget took me.  I managed to score this leather couch, art deco inspired dresser, nightstand and armoire (sorry for the color variations in the photos) for $140.00 at a local thrift store. The couch is immaculate (no rips, tears, burns, scratches--just a bit dusty from the truck ride and sitting in my garage until move in day). The furniture needs cleaned up, has a few dings but is solidly built. I like but most importantly my hubbs bff loves it!

What is more dude-ly than a leather couch?

There is talk this may be converted to a liquor cabinet

Not a bad haul! Do you have any good finds to share?

Funky and Frugal Finds #6

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #6

Wa-Hoo--I have some awesome thrift store finds!! Without further ado, let's get this party started!

An awesome wicker hamper (and it still had the tag attached) for my laundry room

Vintage Market and Thrift $6

This cute little shabby cottage ceiling tin tray. I am using this as a containment for potted plants in my window upstairs. That way when I water them if it overflows the water doesn't damage my floor.

Valley Thrift, $2

These 2 faux birdcages will be great once I paint them (probably white with some distressing). I don't know if I am going to use them as plant holders or candle holders.

Goodwill $8

A shabby cottage style lamp

New 2 You, $2.97

A quirky little mesh heart that opens. Used for potpourri?

St. Vincent De Paul, $0.80

A pair of vintage wooden shoe stretchers

Goodwill $1

A vintage 1964 McCoy pottery Cookie pot. I went online to research and depending on condition the aqua cookie pot sells for $25-$70

Goodwill, $5

 That's right--FIVE dollars! WOOOO-HOOOOO! I sometimes have mad thrifting skills! My cookie pot does have a itsy bitsy chip on the lid so it would fall on the lower scale on price. Even so, I still scored an awesome deal!

What about you? Any awesome finds you want to share?

The St Patty's Day ranting and thifting post!

♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣

 

Well the luck of the Irish must have been with me yesterday and  today because I scored some AWESOME deals when I went thrifting! Wa-hoo! I will go in depth on my finds in Monday's blog post of Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #6.

Remember how I talked about my the hubbs BFF getting a mobile home that we are helping him remodel? Well apparently between the two of them they decided I wasn't busy enough handling the painting and decorating. They gave me EVEN more stuff to take care of  (and I have a cold so I have very little tolerance--for anything right now)!  My responsibilities now include personal errands for his bff (like clothes shopping, laundry detail,  bank transactions, post office, and grocery shopping) Somehow I am now a personal assistant. An UNPAID personal assistant. What the huh? ggrrrrr Can someone please tell me how two men both 51 and 50 (the hubbs and BFF, respectively), can be so completely helpless, clueless, demanding?!

Last time I checked I was only married once. To one man.  Having 1 husband is bad enough at times. Now I have my hubbs AND a stray.  They are finding things for me to do so I will leave them alone. (I think I am getting played...hmmmm)

http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/1423481-how-to-be-a-195-s-housewife 

Ok, now that I have that out of the way...the hubbs BFF asked me to pick some jeans and tee shirts for his work. Yesterday I did manage to score a pair of Levis (like new!) for $2.98 (at New to You Thrift store) and 5 tee shirts for $6.50 (St. Vincent de Paul). Those were some good prices! And the hubbs BFF freaked out (in a good way) and was all like, "NO WAY! I would have spent like $100 on all that".  To which I replied, "Hey  you can pay me the difference" They both laughed.  I was serious... Of  course the hubbs was all proud and braggin' about what a good shopper I am. (well duh!) To make up for them running me ragged, the hubbs BFF did buy pizza  for dinner last night. So I didn't have to cook or do dishes. I GUESS that makes me less ranty and stabby feeling....for now

 The GOOD news is they are both gonna go to the barber shop today (awww they're so cute, haha)  and then head over to the trailer to do work. So I won't see them ALL day! Not to mention I got me some thriftin' plans! If the weather holds out I have some gardening stuff to do. And I am back on track working on some projects. hoo-ray!

I already hit the Goodwill in Lebanon this morning (50% off day-woo!) and found some cool stuff. And because I spent over $25, I got a coupon for a free Goldstar cheese coney. Cool thrifty finds AND a free lunch?! Heck yeah! I came back home to eat lunch, finish my blog post and rest up because I have more shopping, thrifting, money to spend! Da-da-duh-danta-duhda...CHARGE IT!
 

So I will chat at y'all tomorrow. And I totally plan on recycling all my shopping receipts since I am pretty sure I am gonna kill a tree today!

Wherever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you.  

Chubbs and Tovah wanted to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day

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Funky and Frugal Finds #5

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds  Monday #5. 

I'm telling you the thrifting gods have forsaken me! I am having a terrible time finding stuff. And not to mention the last few times I have gone thrifting the customer service was HORRIBLE (as in downright rude)! I can't wait for yard-selling season. Well that and I am scouring neighboring counties for new thrifting spots.

I spend a little time at Half Price Books and more money than I wanted but I am very happy with my purchases!

Yes I am old school--I still play vinyl. I have a DVD player and a MP3 but I really love LP's.  And $1.99 for Foghat? These young kids don't get it...And yes I feel old sometimes when I am rifling through the piles of albums. All of these albums may have a little wear and tear on the jackets but the LP's are in  pristine condition. 

A funky little monkey-pod wood tray

Goodwill, $1.50

Look at the size of this awesome basket (ignore the mess in the background).  This is the perfect size for the lap blanket and my snuggie. Yes-I totally admit it--I broke down and bought a snuggie (on clearance for $7.50 and it has puppies on it). Me=Loser

Goodwill $6

Enamel on iron chicken roaster. No scratches, dents or dings. Just a smudge on the outside which came right off after being washed.

Goodwill $8

And matching Enamel on iron bean pot

Goodwill  $6

Well that's all I got! What about you? Any thrifty treasure you want to brag about?

Funky and Frugal Finds #4

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #4...except I forgot to publish it. OOPS! 

Well it was another week of slim pickin's but I did manage to find a few things worthwhile!

I found this cool Monkeypod wood bowl. I am going to clean it up and use some Walnut Oil to reseal it. I love wood bowls!

Goodwill, $2

I found this cute country picture for my porch

St. Vincent DePaul, $1

Wood Trivets for my kitchen

St. Vincent DePaul, $0.80 each

Barware for the Hubbs

St. Vincent DePaul $2.25 total

And this brass retro bottle opener for the Hubb's bar. I am gonna scrub it up and maybe give it a spray with paint. Can you even buy bottles which need a bottle opener anymore? I mean do they even make them?!

St. Vincent DePaul $2

Fingers crossed next week is better, boo,