Richest Fortune

“The secret of vast riches begins with a single penny.”

Seems slightly overstated, but then again aren’t all classic Fortune Cookie Fortunes? 

I have a secret inner coupon diva that is dying to climb out and start getting groceries for free, but for the life of me I can’t seem to wrap my head around it. Have you seen this new show, “Extreme Couponing”? I have 5 episodes on my DVR just waiting for me to watch…why haven’t I? I want to take NOTES!!! Not only that, but after I watch it I know that I will never really want to grocery shop again until I undertake the couponing…and honestly, my family would GO HUNGRY!

How on earth can a reasonable human being save money? One penny at a time?

“The secret of vast riches begins with a single penny.”

Saving money is a difficult thing for me, typically I am pressed for time and don’t have time to organize a huge binder full of coupons that are cross-indexed by brand and stores. Realistically how can I save money – I have a loyalty card at the stores I shop at, I use coupons from the Sunday paper only for the items our family uses, if we go out to eat it is a place I have a coupon for. Am I the thriftiest person ever? Of course not, I waste a lot of money on things I don’t really need, or end up not using because I got it for a great price! 

Example, in my closet I have 10, yes 10 photo boxes that I bought for $1 each. GREAT DEAL – they were on SALE!! Guess what, they are in MY CLOSET STILL wrapped in PLASTIC NEVER USED! Great deal on sale, NEVER used, in my closet taking up space that I could use for other things! Another example…I found extremely CUTE shadow boxes on SALE 75% off, where are these shadow boxes now? In yet another closet still with their tags on, never used. I think I need to dust off my Ebay account and get busy!

“The secret of vast riches begins with a single penny.”

The best way that I have learned to save money is to resist the impulse to buy things on sale.  Especially things that are project related…photo boxes, shadow boxes, fabric for covering a table, YARN to crochet with that is, in yes, another CLOSET! 

It is a truth that I have learned about myself and I try to embrace…if I undertake the Extreme Couponing show and take notes, I will share with you the details, but you are probably way ahead of me and can share your tips with me! 

If you have a dirty little secret where you waste money and feel guilty, share it here. Let’s get it out and own it, then we can take control of it. Are you a Starbucks fiend (my hand raises), do you buy things in bulk that end up not being used, do you have a collection that you love and spend money on it? Where does your money go? My confession here is light hearted and a little silly, but it is nonetheless true – I have to be honest with myself and where my money really goes before I can take it buy the horns and wrestle it.  Start saving those pennies to build up vast riches!

Thanks for letting me guest post on your wonderful blog, I hope you enjoyed! (Yes, wow, I was asked to guest post at Makobi Scribe - check it out here!)

Live, Laugh, Love~

Vanilla Mama

Ooops…almost left off the lucky numbers, because wouldn’t it be sweetness to win the lottery and not have to worry about money anymore?

19, 23, 27, 29, 35, 38

(One disclaimer I will make, I do not play the lottery on a regular basis, in fact probably only once a year, I do happen to really believe that it is a waste of my money – but if you play and you win from these numbers, please remember your Vanilla Mama!)

Frugal Fortune

Frugal Fortune

“You shouldn’t overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.”

As our country dives deep, deep, deep into debt with numbers that if my 5-year old would ask if possible, I would say – of course not…that will never happen to you! But, it is. It is happening to all of us.

We are raising the debt ceiling, our credit rating is falling…does any of this sound familiar? Is this happening to you?

Is the United States government finally facing the reality that most Americans face every day?

Too many finical obligations….too little cash.

Where do you make cuts? Where do you choose not to spend your money? (as I sit here with acrylic nails that are desperately in need of a fill, unpainted toe nails and gray roots showing…store brand staples in my cabinet and Groupon pinging off the roof…) Small changes are happening here. A coupon diva I am not – post about that later.

The government choices are much harder. But, I think that if some of the trust fund babies that can afford to get elected would give up some of their benefits…it might make a difference, a small one.

We live in an entitled society. From the Congress Man who is entitled to a lifetime of benefits and retirement for his service, to the poor who are entitled to health care (– and as a member of the uninsured for a couple of years – I DO NOT say this lightly!), to the 16 year old who is entitled to a new car, to the 4 year old wanting a cool toy with his Happy Meal. (and Apples Fries!)

“You shouldn’t overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.”

On a more personal level…I have a son going into college. Thank God for Pell Grants, for scholarships, for parents working together to put him through college, for grandparents offering an amazing amount of support. But – all the same, it is an expense. He is moving…moving…(getting into emotional territory with no tissue available) to another state. There are expenses. Being frugal is very important, overspending must be avoided, we need to try to set an example.

I want my son to grow up without debt, without unnecessary financial obligations. I want my children to not rely on our government for their welfare, I want them to be financially independent.

The same with everything…I have to try to set the example, and I will admit, I am not always the best, our government is not the best, but I pray that they learn from example. In some cases, we all must learn for the example of what NOT to do! I always stress the importance of education to my kiddos…I never finished college, did not finish medical transcription training…at this point, I am where I am. I am entering a new phase in my life, I want to write…but have little time raising 3 kiddos, being a wife, having 2 jobs – I feel like my house will never come together, I am not spending enough time with my family, my parents, my spouse, my friends, on my jobs, on my writing, on myself…I am overspent. Overspent finically, emotionally and physically…I need to learn to be more frugal. Smarter about my time, smarter about my money, pay more attention to politics and turn my air up to 80 to avoid the rolling blackouts that may happen here in Texas.

“You shouldn’t overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.”

How do you try to live this fortune? How are you frugal and avoid overspending? Tell me, I want desperately to find the balance I need.

Live, Laugh, Love ~

Vanilla Mama

Cannot forget the lucky number…is it the path to financial independence or just another unnecessary expense? I promise to let you know, if you do!

16, 17, 20, 26, 29, 30

(as a side note…all of these are AGES I have passed…SIGH!)

Coming up will be a money saving post, and hopefully a couple of book blurb posts…