Living Carefully When Others Aren't

Are you living in an area that demands more to live there? I know all too well what this feels like. For the past twenty years, we've been residents of Douglas County, Colorado -- considered one of the highest-income counties not only in Colorado -- but the country.


And if you're wondering -- are we higher-income? Nope.


Here's a helpful post from one of Money Saving Mom's associates on thriving in a high income area...even when your income is a bit less!  Lots of good tips.

Hope you had a good Memorial Day.

Purex 3-in-One Laundry Samples!

I got to test these out when they first came on the market...and they're fabulous. Seriously. One sheet -- toss it in the washing machine, along with your dirty clothes. They provide the soap and softener...as well as a handy dryer sheet when those wet clothes go into the dryer! How convenient can you get...

What I especially liked about these, though, was their versatility. They're much handier for vacations, camping and getaways than lugging along soap, etc. -- or having to try to figure out where to get cleaners without buying a big box. Household tip people suggest keeping a dryer sheet in your suitcase to minimize odor and keep out bugs. Keep one of these sheets, and you've got a quick way to do a last-minute wash, as well!

Get your own two-pack FREE by requesting them here.

NEW Giveaway!

It's a new contest! Blog readers liked the Carolina Pad collection giveaway so much that I'm doing it again --

take a minute to leave a comment on any of the posts for the next few weeks, and you're entered to win a "Chat Bundle" of Carolina Pad's "Chat" collection -- including a binder, 1-subject notebook and three 2-pocket folders. (In fact, it's so new that it's not on the website yet! But each item is covered with stylized words and letters...perfect for a returning-to-school kid or writer of any age.)

You can follow Carolina Pad on Facebook , or Twitter (@carolinapad). Contest ends June 10, and we'll draw a random winner soon after.

Take a minute to let me know your favorite Carolina Pad collection...or:
What would you use your "Chat" collection for?


Have a great weekend.

Free Year's Subscription to Ready Made!

Run, do not walk, to this site and nab yourself a FREE 6-issue subscription to Ready Made magazine. It's part crafts, part home dec, part woodworking, art and sewing -- and a heck of a lot about repurposing items, making do, and redesigning. You'll be amazed at how much it broadens the possibilities of what you can do with your clothes, furnishings and home.

Both girlies have found this mag refreshing and helpful, too. Quick, hurry before all the subscriptions are gone!

Food for a Buck

Could you do it? These people lived on $1 a day for their food costs -- and quite successfully, too. (A plus: they also cut way back on their junk food eating...and lost weight.)

Junk Mail Conquered! (Or At Least Reused)

Is your junk mail piling up in a dusty corner? Try Grocery Cart Challenge's ten suggestions on what to do with junk mail, from a handy funnel (just cut a corner of the envelope) to ethnic jewelry. Kewl...

Daughter #2 just said (about her father): "He's got to let his mind just wander sometimes. It's old enough to be out by itself..."   !!!!

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant...free!

Samples are here, courtesy of Walmart. This is great stuff, if you have trouble with this area of your life. Very effective!

Be sure to stay in the neighborhood before you leave Walmart.com. They have other samples worth requesting!

95 New Frugal Thoughts

95 collected posts on a variety of frugal subjects,  thanks to Rowdy Kitten. They range all over the place, from transportation to jobs to food to...

Take your time, and enjoy!