Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan book - FREE

Thanks to this site I found out about Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan book is free to download until January 15, 2009.

Just go to Oprah.com (I linked to it) and download a copy.

Just be sure to follow the "rules" since it is copyrighted.

Happy reading...and saving in 2009!

Update on book banning

(edited to add this link - Wall Street Journal article from 1/14/2009)


If you haven't read my post from yesterday you can read that below.

I just wanted to add this link, as well as a few of my own thoughts.

My understanding of this law is that these books may still be sold as long as they have less then 600 ppm (parts per million) total lead. This means companies, small businesses, thrift stores, Goodwill, churches etc etc...the list goes on...would need to test each item before giving it away or selling it. The cost of testing each of these items is in the thousands. Think of how that will damage these institutions financially.

Churches that collect coats, clothes and other items for needy families won't be able to do that anymore. I won't be able to buys second hand, gently used clothing for my children anymore. Used book stores will likely have to close. Curriculum fairs will cease. You won't be able to sell these books on craigslist or give them away on Freecycle either. The penalty for selling these books could be fines or imprisonment.

Anyway, those are just a few more thoughts on the new law. Again, this isn't really a surprise. It's just one more thing we need to work around in our quest to be wise with the money God has given us. To spend wisely, save and be frugal.

Happy Friday!

Saving with my Keurig

Those of you who read my Christmas post saw that my hubby bought me this beautiful, shiny Keurig for Christmas.

I've been using it and loving every minute of it. One really cool feature is that you can use a K-cup or your own ground coffee. It has a K-cup sized coffee filter to put your grounds in if you choose to do it with your coffee.

I was wicked happy about that because I had several bags of coffee in my cupboard. The only thing I was not looking forward to was purchasing the actual K-cups. It just seemed to be more expensive.

My mom did the math and she said it came out to about $0.50 per cup, but I figured my ground coffee would come out to be less. More work, less money...I'm cool with that.

So, I just did the math on the ground coffee.

If I have a 12 oz bag of coffee I get approximately 27 scoops of coffee out of it. With the Keurig 1 scoop = 1 cup of coffee.

I spent $5.99 on a bag of DD ground coffee (thanks to CVS and a $1 off coupon)

That would mean I am "paying" $0.21 for a cup of coffee. I'm saving $0.29 NOT buying the K-cups. I like that!

I took it even further and figured this out:

A 12 oz bag of coffee @ $6.99 per bag = $0.26 per cup
A 12 oz bag of coffee @ $7.50 per bag = $0.28 per cup

I did those figures just in case I didn't have a coupon and had to buy at full price. Either way I still save over the K-cups.

Now, this doesn't mean I won't ever buy the K-cups. They're totally fun! How could I not buy them?!

Thanks, honey, for my really cool gift! I love it and I love that you know me and what I like!

America, we have a problem

Please go check out this link and then do your own research. Don't take my word for it or the articles word for it.

However, this is something that is unbelievable! This law that has been passed will hurt so many families and businesses that help struggling families. Or families that choose to live a frugal life. I almost feel like I have to "stock up" on everything in the next month.

I know this is the way things are meant to happen and I also know things won't get better. Change will come and it may seem better at the time, but it will be a short time. In the long run we, as Christians, know the outcome. It's still not going to be easy, but that is just another reason to be on our knees and in the Word. God is faithful and He will provide for our needs no matter what.

Philippians 4: 6 & 19
" Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him
for all he has done.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which
have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

A mixed bag

As I type this I can hear the sleet and rain hitting my living room windows. I'm so happy we

have a home, heat and power! I'm not terribly excited about having to shovel,
but as long as I get to come into a warm house I'm content!
Plus, I get to make some coffee. Coffee always makes things better!

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We're still going strong on the potty training fun. Although we seem to have hit a bump in the road. For some strange reason Caleb doesn't get that poopy goes in the potty. He gets all the rest (most of the time) except for this. Figures too! The worst one to end up in his jeans and boxers...

Oh, and another thing. Boxers and boxer briefs for little boys are the most adorable thing ever!!! It's so funny to see him running around in boxers. He's like a little Mike!

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On another note..

One of my commitments for this year is to reduce our grocery shopping bill. It seemed to me
it's the best way to save some money. It's much wiser and a whole lot healthier too. That means I
make menu's, buy the food I need, cook it and *voila* money in the bank.
Ok, so maybe money in the bank isn't that easy, but it's a good start.

What I've been doing is going through all the flyers for Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS. If wasn't already a "rewards" member I made sure to sign up. Then I would clip the store coupons, combine them with coupons from the Sunday papers, circle the deals I needed to take advantage of, and then go shopping.

For instance, last night I went to Walgreens with a small list of items I needed to buy. Some of the items are not what I usually use, but when purchased with the coupons and rewards it saved tons of money. I went up to the register with these items in my basket.


After the cashier finished ringing me up the total came to $57.59! Ouch, right? (Pharmacy stores like that always seem to be more expensive anyway)

BUT after my register rewards, store coupons and regular coupons combined with the sale prices, I paid a whopping total of...are you ready?

$16.41

That's right!!! I saved $41.18.

What can be better than that! I walked out with a smile on my face! It's almost like a game. And I won!

After I got home I entered my receipts at Walgreens.com. (At the end of the catalog period they will send you your money on the items that had mail in rebates. If you have it refunded to you in the form of a Walgreens gift card they will had an extra 20% to the gift card total! FREE MONEY!) So, in all I truly ended up spending $14.91.

I figured I would share my very happy news because I was so excited and to show you how easy it is to save money on items you use every day. If I can do it, anyone can. I had to let go of brand loyalty, but that was easy. Especially after seeing my receipt.

Don't forget to take advantage of coupons and flyers too! There are so many savings in those. As long as you are only purchasing what you really use. Don't buy stuff just because you have a coupon.

Look for great deals and pair them with a coupon or two.

It's a great way to save money!

Happy shopping and saving!

Oh yes...I also enjoyed one of these today...


It's a smoothie made with unsweetened soy milk, bananas, strawberries, and honey.

Delicious!